32 North Korean Soldiers Crossed into the MDL for Two Days

It was revealed that North Korean soldiers crossed into the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in Chulwon, Gangwon Province, on 19th, a day before they crossed the MDL within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Kosung, Gangwon Province, on 20th, and retreated after South Korean forces fired warning shots.

According to the Defense Ministry yesterday, 20 North Korean soldiers moved South following river within the DMZ in Keunnam-myon, Chulwon-kun, at 11:25 a.m. on September 19th, and crossed the MDL about 40 meters inside the southern part of the DMZ around 1 p.m. As South Korean forces fired nine warning shots following the warning broadcast, they retreated to the northern side in 25 minutes.

12 North Korean soldiers, who were on a surveillance patrol mission in the DMZ in Sudong-myon, Kosung-kun, crossed the MDL about 20 meters inside the DMZ on September 20th, and retreated one minute after South Korean forces fired five warning shots. The place into which North Korean soldiers crossed is adjacent to the national highway number 7, which is expected to be connected for the land route to Mt. Kuemgang.

It is first time that North Korean soldiers crossed into the MDL or fired shootings to South Korean soldiers since North Korean soldiers fired shootings accidentally in June 1998. Especially, considering that the South and North military stopped slanderous broadcasting since the South and North summit talk last year, it is exceptional that North broadcasted that ``we will return the heavy blow for ruthless provocation.`` through the speaker on 20th.

The U.N. Command (UNC) confirmed the North Korean soldiers` incursions through the special team`s investigation on the scene on 22nd, and called for colonel-level talks on the matter. However, the North refused to accept it.

Hwang Ui-Don, Defense Ministry spokesperson, said that ``the South Korean military did not intend to conceal this incident at all. Considering that hundreds of soldiers from both sides are on mission everyday adjacent to the MDL, we regarded it as a simple mistake done by North Korean soldiers, and that is why we did not announce it.``

Lee Chol-Hi klimt@donga.com