South Korean forces issued alerts and fired warning shots after approximately 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), according to reports.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff communicated to the press via text that, around 5:00 pm local time, their military issued warning broadcasts and fired warning shots after roughly 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the MDL in the eastern sector of the DMZ.

The South Korean military stated they are “closely monitoring the North Korean military’s activity.”

No injuries were reported, and the North Korean soldiers returned to their side of the border following the South Korean warning shots.

A similar event occurred in June 2024, preceding Russian President’s visit to Pyongyang. At that time, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff noted the North Korean soldiers were equipped with work tools. However, the June incident involved a larger group of approximately 20 to 30 North Koreans.

Following the June 2024 incident, Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a significant defensive pact.

The agreement stipulates that “If one of the two sides is placed under war situations due to an armed invasion from an individual country or several nations, the other side provides military and other assistance without delay by mobilizing all means in its possession.”

In October 2024, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Then-National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby stated that the U.S. had briefed Ukraine on the situation.

Digital’s Timothy Nerozzi contributed to this report.

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