North Korea has lodged an accusation against South Korea’s military, claiming they fired shots at North Korean soldiers near the border. North Korea has expressed concern that this action could result in a significant escalation, which would be difficult to manage. According to Lieutenant General Jong Chol of the North Korean army, the event transpired on Tuesday, during a border-sealing operation by North Korean troops. South Korea has not yet verified the incident.
This event follows a pattern, including an incident in April where South Korean forces fired at ten North Korean soldiers, reportedly for crossing the border. These events unfold within the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that contains hazardous areas.
In the latter part of 2024, North Korea declared its intentions to shut the southern border completely and, shortly after, destroyed road and rail links between the North and South. Currently, North Korea is signaling that it will react to any interference from South Korea in their border closure operations.
Beyond these events, there have been less intense confrontations. For example, last year North Korea sent balloons full of trash towards the South. South Korea responded by broadcasting news and music across the border. This practice was stopped after a change of leadership.
Despite these issues, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea has suggested a willingness to pursue open dialogue with North Korea to ease tensions. Conversely, Kim Yo Jong, a key figure in North Korea, has stated there is no desire to improve relations. Since the Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, the two Koreas remain technically at war.
