Seoul:Recent sounds of explosions from the northern side of a western border island are believed to be associated with North Korea's efforts to bolster its coastal security installations, a South Korean military official announced on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea has been observed carrying out demolition and fortification activities in a border area close to Ganghwa Island, situated off the west coast of South Korea. This information was reported by the Japanese broadcaster NHK, citing a resident of Ganghwa who recounted hearing significant "booms" and noted that such events were unprecedented in his experience.
"Explosion sounds are being continuously heard in the North Korean coastal area north of the neutral waters of the Han River estuary on the Ganghwa front," stated Capt. Jang Do-young, spokesperson for the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), during a press briefing. He further mentioned, "We judge that the North Korean military is reinforcing its coastal security facilities on the North's side and we are closely monitoring related movements."
Ganghwa Island, located just northwest of Incheon along the Han River estuary, is one of the closest points to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) that divides the two Koreas. It is also a known area where North Korean mines have been discovered washed ashore into South Korean territory following heavy rains.