North Korean Troops Fire at South Korean Guard Post

There was an exchange gun shots between North Korean and South Korean troops in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a North Korean soldier fired 2~3 rounds of machine gun at a South Korean Army guard post located 770 meters away from a North Korean guard post (GP) in the DMZ near Jangpa-Ri, Paryung-Myun, Paju, Kyunggi-Do at 10:42 AM Nov. 27.

The South Korean Army immediately returned 15 shots, broadcasting a warning message `Stop the Attack`, according to the rules of engagement. An official at the JCS reported that the North Korean troops fired no additional rounds in this process.

The exchange of fires destroyed one window at the South Korean Army guard post, while no causalities were reported. According to the first investigation result released by the field investigation team, the bullet used by the North Korean soldier was a 7.62 mm machine gun, which is now allowed to be used in the DMZ. The Armistice Agreement regulates that only handguns and rifles are allowed in the DMZ.

The exchange of fires between North Korean and South Korean troops is the first time in three years and 5 months since June 1998.

"Since machine guns are always aiming at the other`s guard post, it has not been determined whether the firing was committed mistakenly or intentionally." said a JCS official. "If a violation of the Armistice Agreement is confirmed through a field investigation, we will either call a UM Military Armistice Commission secretarial meeting or send a protest message."

Dong-Ki Sung esprit@donga.com