MOSCOW, November 15 (Sputnik) – North Korea has condemned Seoul for “provocations”, including warning broadcasts and warning shots, in the area of the Military Demarcation Line, stressing it could lead to retaliatory strikes and “a great war of justice”, Yonhap reports, citing a statement issued by the Front Command of the Korean People's Army.
The remarks were made in response to South Korea firing warning shots at the North’s border patrol near the MDL on Monday. The patrol of approximately 10 North Korean soldiers left without returning the fire, according to Yonhap.
“The south Korean puppet military warmongers should be mindful that such reckless military provocations in the area of MDL may invite unforeseeable retaliation strikes, which will immediately lead to a great war of justice for national reunification,” the Front Command said, as quoted by the North Korean news agency KCNA.
Pyongyang considers patrolling of the area to the north of the MLD its legitimate right. “If they continue the military provocation despite our warning, they will have to pay at the cost of their blood,” the Front Command stressed.
North Korea insists that the South Korean military has increased its activities in the area, this coming prior to the Hoguk-14 military exercise. “From mid-October they began warning broadcast with vulgar words while firing bullets toward our servicepersons on their routine patrol duty in our side's area north of the MDL. Even, they let armed rascals occupy positions and take firing posture to intentionally get on our servicepersons' nerves.” Hoguk, a 12-day military drills aimed at protecting South Korea from the North, have been launched this week.
Running near the 38th parallel, the Military Demarcation Line along with the surrounding Korean Demilitarized Zone was established in 1953 following a cease fire. Since no final peace agreement has been reached, the two Koreas technically remain at war. There have been numerous incidents along the MDL on the ground, as well as in the sea.
