Seoul warns North Korea against border provocations

SEOUL (AFP) — South Korea’s military warned Tuesday of a firm response to further provocations by North Korea after Pyongyang threatened to deploy additional weapons near their heavily fortified border.

North Korea said Monday that tensions along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) were “grave” and accused Seoul of conducting nearly 1,000 loudspeaker broadcasts and firing warning shots between 1 and 17 October.

Pyongyang also denied responsibility for a landmine explosion that injured three South Korean soldiers inside the DMZ last month.

South Korea defended its use of loudspeakers and warning shots as legitimate measures to prevent North Korean troops from crossing the Military Demarcation Line.

Jin Yong-sung, chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, accused Pyongyang of “baselessly shifting the blame for escalating military tensions onto our own military.”

“It is unacceptable that North Korea yesterday characterized our legitimate operational measures as a ‘provocation,’” Jin said.

He ordered troops to “respond with firm resolve” to any further aggressive action, while the defense ministry warned of “resolute” punishment.

Tensions between the two Koreas have intensified following a series of border incidents, including North Korea’s launch of trash-filled balloons into the South in 2024 and Seoul’s resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts.