According to reports, 10 North Korean troops crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), prompting South Korean soldiers to broadcast alerts and fire warning shots.
“Our military conducted warning broadcasts and warning shots after about 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) in the eastern area of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) around 5:00 pm local time,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the press via text message, according to Reuters.
The military stated that it is “closely monitoring the North Korean military’s activity.”
There were no injuries reported, and the North Korean soldiers returned to their side of the border after South Korean troops fired warning shots.
A similar incident occurred in June 2024, shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang. At the time, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the North Korean soldiers were carrying work tools. However, that incident was said to involve a larger group of North Koreans, ranging in size from 20 to 30.
During their visit following the June 2024 incident, Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un signed a historic defensive agreement.
“If one of the two sides is placed under war situations due to an armed invasion from an individual country or several nations, the other side provides military and other assistance without delay by mobilizing all means in its possession,” according to the truce.
In October 2024, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea had sent troops to Russia as part of its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Then-National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby stated that the US had briefed Ukraine on the situation.
