Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Two Koreas trade fire at DMZ
By Yi Whan-woo
South and North Korea exchanged fire Sunday afternoon after a group of the North’s soldiers approached the military demarcation line (MDL) snaking along the middle of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
“North Korean soldiers approached again near the MDL at 5:40 pm. We issued warnings first and then fired warning shots,” a JCS official said. They came close to MDL at 8:10 a.m. but retreated after a warning was issued.
No casualties were reported.
The JCS said Army sentries fired additional shots as they found two bullets, presumably shot from the North, in one of their guard posts.
The exchange of fire lasted for nearly 10 minutes.
“We have not seen anything particular from the North Korean military since then. But we have maintained a close watch on their positions and reinforced military readiness in case of additional provocations,” the JCS official said.
The military evacuated residents and tourists from the MDL near Paju, the JCS said.
The two sides traded warning shots a day after border guards in Cherwon, Gangwon Province, fired warning shots as about 10 other North Korean soldiers approached their side of the MDL from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.
The military said the North Koreans did not cross the MDL or respond to the warning shots.
A military official said North Korean soldiers occasionally approach the MDL without actually crossing it and this has happened “a few times” this year.
“I think the North Korean military is trying to test our readiness posture there,” he said.
The MDL is the land border between the two Koreas between the DMZ. This is a heavily fortified border that is about 250 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide. Both The MDL and DMZ were established by the armistice that ended the Korean War (1950-53).
The exchanges of fire over the weekend came at a time when the North offered to have a high-level meeting with the South during a surprise visit by a delegation of top officials at the end of the Incheon Asian Games.
However, a group of North Korean defectors sent propaganda balloons across the border, despite warnings from Pyongyang.
Cheong Wa Dae insisted that the door was still open for inter-Korean dialogue; but the North has not responded.