The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) claim that North Korean soldiers allegedly entered South Korean territory again, but returned after warning shots and announcements from South Korean troops.
The command reported that on Tuesday at about 8:30 a.m., 20-30 North Korean soldiers working in the central part of the demilitarized zone allegedly briefly crossed the military demarcation line that serves as the inter-Korean border. They returned to the North Korean side after South Korean troops fired warning shots and demanded over a loudspeaker that they leave the country.
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“Today at around 8.30 am, an incident occurred on the central front when soldiers temporarily crossed the military demarcation line… After warning announcements and shots, they returned back. The area where North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line today is different from the area where the border was violated on June 9.” , – the JCS said.
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The JCS command previously reported that on June 9, about 20 North Korean soldiers, allegedly by mistake, briefly crossed the inter-Korean border, but returned to the DPRK side after the South Korean military fired warning shots. The South Korean military suggests that the North crossed the border “unintentionally” both times.
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North Korean soldiers had working tools with them: picks and shovels. The command noted that since April, the DPRK has been strengthening border security. Along the border, the North Korean military is creating wasteland, laying mines, fortifying tactical roads and building structures similar to anti-tank barriers.
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As the JCS explained, the demilitarized zone is densely overgrown with grass and bushes, making the border signs difficult to see.