North Koreans cross border: South Korean military fires shots

South Korea's new president wants to improve relations with Pyongyang, but there's currently no sign of a thaw. Now, an incident on their shared border is causing new tensions.

According to the UN, around 30 North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified border with South Korea a few days ago, triggering warning shots from the South Korean military. The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported this, citing a spokesman for the US-led UN Command (UNC) in Korea.

The South Korean armed forces warned North Korean soldiers through several warning messages that they had crossed the military demarcation line, but they failed to respond, the spokesman said, according to Yonhap. The South Koreans then fired warning shots to force the North Koreans to turn back.

According to the state news agency KCNA, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Korean People's Army, Ko Jong Chol, spoke of "dangerous provocations." They could trigger an "uncontrollable phase" and must be stopped immediately. North Korean soldiers were carrying out work on the border.

North Korea tests anti-aircraft missiles

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of two "new" air defense missiles, according to state media. Saturday's test demonstrated that the two new missile weapon systems possess "superior combat capabilities" and are "highly suitable for destroying various air targets," according to KCNA.

North and South Korea are formally still at war, as the Korean War of 1950-1953 ended only with an armistice. A peace treaty was never signed. The UNC, founded in 1950, is primarily intended to ensure compliance with the 1953 armistice agreement.

Tensions between democratic South Korea and communist North Korea have increased significantly again in recent years. South Korea's new President, Lee Jae-myung, has committed to improving relations with North Korea. However, Pyongyang has stated that it has no interest in doing so. Under Lee's more confrontational predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol, relations between the two countries had reached a low point.