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[5 PM News]
◀ Anchor ▶
On the 9th, dozens of North Korean troops who violated the Military Demarcation Line crossed back after being warned by our military’s warning shots this morning.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff believe that North Korea has been conducting various operations such as planting mines and installing barricades inside the DMZ before crossing over.
This is reporter Cho Hee-hyung.
◀ Report ▶
Around 8:30 AM today, about 20 to 30 North Korean troops were discovered working in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) below the Military Demarcation Line.
As soon as the South Korean military issued warning broadcasts and warning shots, the North Korean troops retreated.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff, considering the area is densely forested and the unclear visibility of the Military Demarcation Line, are treating this as a simple intrusion as the North Korean troops immediately retreated in response to warning shots.
On the 9th at noon, a similar number of North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line but turned back to the North after the South Korean military issued warning broadcasts and warning shots.
20 minutes later, 4 North Korean troops again trespassed and then retreated.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained that recent activities by North Korea inside the DMZ, such as planting mines and building tank barriers, are related to the recent incidents.
[Lee Sung-jun/Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Director]: “North Korean troops are performing various tasks in the front-line area, such as creating barren lands, planting mines, reinforcing tactical roads, and installing unidentified structures that appear to be tank barriers…”
Despite casualties resulting from multiple mine explosions during mine planting operations, North Korea persists with these activities.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that these operations are focused on areas where defections have occurred to strengthen internal control against North Korean soldiers and residents trying to defect.
An official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “We are following the protocol, but whether this will continue remains to be seen. We are closely coordinating with the United Nations on issues related to violations of the Armistice Agreement.”
This is MBC News reporter Cho Hee-hyung.
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