About ten North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in Goseong, Gangwon Province, but withdrew after South Korean forces fired warning shots. The incident raised concerns about possible tests of South Korea’s defense readiness.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that on Tuesday, around 5:00 p.m.(KST), about ten North Korean soldiers crossed roughly 50 meters south of the MDL in the eastern Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near Goseong. Most carried rifles and other weapons; some wore protective gear against landmines.
South Korean forces issued repeated warnings as North Korean troops neared the MDL. After confirming the incursion, they fired warning shots. The North Korean soldiers soon retreated. This is the first use of warning shots in about six months, following North Korea’s demolition of northern sections of the inter-Korean Gyeongui and Donghae rail lines last October.
The Goseong area is not a usual site for North Korean military activity. Past MDL breaches were often accidental and involved unarmed or lightly armed troops. In contrast, this recent incursion involved several armed soldiers wearing body armor.
Military officials are reviewing several scenarios. A JCS spokesperson said the breach site has a reverse V-shaped terrain that extends north from the MDL, increasing the chance of accidental crossings. Armed troops and others in protective gear suggest possible mine detection or reconnaissance.
The military does not rule out a deliberate provocation to test South Korea’s political climate. This theory gained ground after reports that Kim observed urban infiltration drills by special forces on April 4.
Gangwon State held an emergency security meeting on Wednesday. Governor Kim Jin Tae called the incident a breach of the armistice agreement, stating that it appeared to be a deliberate provocation. He urged a strong government response, warning that any further provocations must face “a hundred-fold or thousand-fold retaliation.”
Local leaders from five border regions also urged firm action. Yanggu County Mayor Seo Heung Won stressed the need for greater security awareness. Goseong County Mayor Ham Myung Jun reported that the county maintained close coordination with the military and police. Hwacheon County Mayor Choi Su Myeong highlighted ongoing inspections of civilian shelters to strengthen regional security.
Military authorities stated they maintain close surveillance of North Korean troop movements and stand ready to boost monitoring and carry out necessary operational measures to counter any further provocations.
