Seoul:The unification ministry has called on North Korea to avoid escalating tensions along the inter-Korean border and to respond constructively to Seoul's efforts aimed at addressing issues related to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).
According to Yonhap News Agency, this appeal follows comments made by Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who threatened to increase the deployment of tactical weapons near the southern border. This threat was in response to the South Korean military's actions, which included warning shots and broadcasts over North Korean troops' repeated crossings of the MDL.
The ministry emphasized the need for both sides to reconcile their positions on the MDL and to establish a communication system for its peaceful management to fundamentally resolve tensions and prevent clashes. It also urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue to prevent unnecessary escalation and achieve an effective resolution, stressing that North Korea must cease acts violating the Armistice Agreement that concluded the 1950-53 Korean War.
In a statement released by North Korea's state media, Kim described the situation along the inter-Korean border as "very unstable" and criticized South Korean military responses as provocations. However, the South Korean military defended its actions as legitimate and defensive measures intended to prevent further crossings of the MDL by North Korean troops.
The current tensions arise as North Korea intensifies efforts to strengthen its border with South Korea, aligning with Kim Jong-un's definition of inter-Korean relations as those between "two states hostile to each other." South Korea perceives these actions by Pyongyang as attempts to limit its military operations and expedite the establishment of a new border line.
When asked about the potential resumption of North Korean loudspeaker broadcasts, a unification ministry official indicated that the government would "responsibly review necessary measures" in coordination with relevant agencies, including the defense ministry.