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1 NK soldier in custody after crossing border into S. Korea on Tuesday: JCS

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By Yonhap
  • Published Jun 24, 2026 12:01 pm KST
A barrier installed by North Korea on the Gyeongui Line road can be seen in the area of the western sector of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), as viewed from a border area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 26. Yonhap

A barrier installed by North Korea on the Gyeongui Line road can be seen in the area of the western sector of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), as viewed from a border area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 26. Yonhap

One North Korean soldier has been taken into South Korean custody after crossing the heavily fortified border earlier this week, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday, in what is believed to be a defection from the North.

"The military secured one North Korean soldier in the central front Tuesday night and relevant authorities are currently investigating the details," the JCS said in a message to media, without providing further details.