N. Korea remains unresponsive to S. Korea's message about weekend border-crossing
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea remains unresponsive after South Korea sent it a message about an unidentified person having crossed the eastern inter-Korean border over the weekend, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday.
On Sunday, South Korea sent the message through a western military communication line "in light of protecting our citizen," though it has yet to verify details about the person who crossed the heavily fortified border on Saturday night.
The fate of the person was not immediately confirmed amid reports the North has a "shoot-to-kill" policy in place as part of tougher border control measures against COVID-19.
"We have sent the message in light of protecting our national, and we have not received a reply from North Korea yet," Boo Seung-chan, ministry spokesperson, told a regular press briefing.
South Korea's military is trying to verify whether the person in question is a South Korean citizen or a North Korean defector. Also unknown is whether the person is a civilian or a military personnel.
"We are currently in the process of identifying the unknown person under cooperation with related authorities," Col. Kim Jun-rak, the spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also told reporters.
Kim added no unusual North Korean military movements have been detected.
The latest incident has called into doubt South Korea's front-line defense despite its military's earlier pledge to bolster defense with high-tech surveillance system.
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
N. Korea's Kim holds talks with Russian defense minister on strengthening military cooperation: state media
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
24 teachers caught illegally selling exam questions to private educators
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
(LEAD) Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations
-
Allies vow stern measures against Russia-N. Korea arms deal
-
(LEAD) Opposition party leader ends 24-day hunger strike for treatment
-
(2nd LD) U.S. finalizes national security 'guardrails' for CHIPS funding
-
(4th LD) Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official