Seoul:South Korea's top military officer has directed troops to respond sternly to any provocations from North Korea, following threats from Pyongyang to deploy additional weapons along the inter-Korean border and resume propaganda broadcasts.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gen. Jin Yong-sung, Chairman of the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), issued the directive during a visit to a central front-line unit. He criticized North Korea for blaming Seoul for the increased tensions after a land mine explosion on September 21 injured three South Korean soldiers.
The JCS reported that Gen. Jin stated it was unacceptable for North Korea to characterize South Korea's legitimate operational measures as provocations and lay the blame for heightened military tensions on South Korean forces. He instructed troops to respond decisively should the North use these measures as a pretext for further provocations.
Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, announced that North Korea is considering resuming propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and deploying more tactical strike means along the border, citing an unstable situation. She also accused the South of conducting warning shots and broadcasts aimed at disrupting the North's border fortification work.
During his visit, Gen. Jin also emphasized the importance of consistently and decisively responding to any violations of the Armistice Agreement, such as incursions across the Military Demarcation Line. He ordered operations to strengthen South Korea's initiative in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a buffer zone around the MDL.
Gen. Jin reaffirmed that the recent mine blast, caused by North Korean antipersonnel mines, was a clear provocation and a violation of the armistice agreement.