The area around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the western front and the Kaesong Industrial Complex, viewed from a border area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the 15th, is quiet following the Ministry of Unification's decision to restore the Peace and Cooperation Zone Promotion Group, which is in charge of affairs related to the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Yonhap News. 

It was belatedly revealed that about 20 North Korean soldiers crossed south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) on the 19th, prompting our military to fire warning shots.

According to the military on the 23rd, about 20 North Korean soldiers trespassed south of the MDL in the Paju area, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 19th.

The military, which had been closely monitoring their movements, issued several prior warning broadcasts. When they continued to move south despite the warning broadcasts, warning shots were fired.

The military explained that the North Korean soldiers moved back north without any particular reaction after our military's warning shots.

At the time, the North Korean soldiers were identified as personnel involved in tasks in the MDL area, such as land reclamation and mine planting. Some of them were reportedly armed.

Military authorities reportedly judge that there is a high probability that the North Korean soldiers temporarily crossed the Military Demarcation Line while working.

The day of the North Korean military's MDL incursion was also the day a North Korean soldier defected across the armistice line in the Cheorwon area of Gangwon Province.

However, a military official explained that the two incidents appear unrelated given the time and location of their occurrence.

A military official said, "Our military is closely monitoring North Korean military movements and taking necessary measures in accordance with operational procedures."

Yonhap News