Warning shots fired by South Korea after North Korean soldiers crossed its border

The South Korean military fired warning shots last week after a group of North Korean soldiers crossed the land border between the two Koreas, prompting them to return to their side, a source said on Sunday.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that numerous North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line in the Eastern Front Area at some point last week, leading to the firing of warning shots in accordance with the South Korean military’s operational procedures, according to the government source.

These warning shots marked the first time the South Korean military has fired such shots this year in response to North Korean forces crossing the border. No prior violations of the military demarcation line by the North Korean military have been reported this year.

The soldiers were likely conducting patrols in the area when they crossed the military demarcation line, which divides the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas—a legacy of the Korean War (1950–1953).

The North Korean soldiers returned to their side after the warning shots were fired, and no other unusual activity was reported.