South Korean military fires warning shots in response to border incursions from the North.
Crossing the border from North Korea occurs more frequently as per South Korea's recent announcements, with the latest incident happening on a Thursday morning (local time). According to reports, North Korean soldiers retreated back to the north after receiving warning shots and signals. Similar occurrences took place on a Tuesday and early June. The South Korean military believes these were unintentional moves.
North and South Korea have been technically at war since the end of the Korean War, with an approximately 4-kilometer wide demilitarized zone separating the two countries. This zone is loaded with landmines, and the Demarcation Line runs through the center of it.
In a period of reconciliation and relaxation in 2018, both countries agreed to remove landmines along a section of the border. However, Pyongyang, as per the South Korean military, has started laying more mines, building tank traps, and enhancing tactical roads this year. The South Korean General Staff views this as a move by Pyongyang to strengthen their internal control and prevent North Koreans from defecting to the South.
In recent weeks, North Korea has released over a thousand trash-filled balloons into the South. They claimed this action was in response to South Korean activists, who launched balloons filled with anti-Kim Jong Un propaganda and money towards the North. On Friday, a South Korean activist stated he had sent 20 more balloons loaded with propaganda and USB sticks containing K-Pop and TV series over the border.
The already strained relationship between the two countries has further deteriorated. North Korea's leader Kim has conducted multiple rocket tests this year and announced plans to expand his weapons development, including tactical nuclear weapons. In response, South Korea and the USA have strengthened their defense cooperation.
The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim this week has increased tensions. During the meeting, both countries signed a military cooperation pact, and Putin suggested he might supply weapons to North Korea, which would violate UN sanctions against Pyongyang.
The US State Department described Putin's statements as "deeply concerning." Such actions could destabilize the Korean Peninsula, it was stated from the State Department.
South Korea expressed its disapproval by summoning the Russian ambassador, Georgi Sinowiew, on Friday in response to the Moscow-Pyongyang agreement. South Korea demanded that Russia "immediately stop military cooperation with North Korea and comply with the resolution of the UN Security Council," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 due to its banned nuclear program, which Russia originally supported. During his visit to Pyongyang, Putin spoke in favor of re-examining these sanctions.
Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the relationship with North Korea has grown stronger once again. Kim Jong-un expressed his "full support" to the Kremlin chief during his visit in support of the conflict with Ukraine.
On the other hand, South Korea announced on Thursday that it was "reconsidering" its long-term policy of banning weapons sales to conflict areas and planned to supply weapons to Ukraine. Putin warned Seoul against such a move, calling it a "big mistake."
Read also:
- South Korean military officials expressed concern over North Korea's increased border crossings, following three incidents in recent weeks.
- Reports suggest that North Korean soldiers were met with warning shots and signals at the border crossing on Thursday, leading to their retreat.
- In a bid to strengthen its internal control, North Korea has reportedly been laying more landmines, building tank traps, and enhancing tactical roads along the border this year.
- The South Korean military believes these actions by Pyongyang are aimed at preventing North Koreans from defecting to South Korea.
- The already strained relationship between North and South Korea has further deteriorated, with Kim Jong-un conducting multiple rocket tests and announcing plans to expand his weapons development.
- The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un this week has raised tensions, as Putin suggested supplying weapons to North Korea, which would violate UN sanctions.
- In response to the Moscow-Pyongyang agreement, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador and demanded an immediate halt to military cooperation with North Korea.
- The US State Department expressed concern over Putin's statements, fearing that such actions could destabilize the Korean Peninsula, a UN sanctioned country since 2006, with Russia previously supporting North Korea's banned nuclear program.
