North Korea resumes border fortification work after winter hiatus: JCS

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean soldiers marching during a military parade to celebrate the ninth congress of the ruling Workers' Party at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Feb. 25. EAP-Yonhap

North Korea has resumed efforts to reinforce the northern side of the heavily fortified inter-Korean border earlier this month, after a brief winter hiatus, South Korea's military said Friday.

Pyongyang has been strengthening border controls by installing fences and laying land mines along the Military Demarcation Line ever since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared inter-Korean relations as between "two hostile countries" in late 2023.

The North had temporarily halted its border fortification measures since December before resuming operations earlier this month, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

"Our military is firmly maintaining its readiness posture while managing the military situation in a stable manner," the JCS said.

The South's military issues warning broadcasts and fires warning shots if a North Korean soldier crosses into the South, it added.