Seoul dismisses Pyongyang's criticism of border warning shots as 'groundless'

The Korea Times - Oct 20, 2026

Seoul’s defense ministry on Tuesday rejected Pyongyang’s criticism of warning shots and broadcasts along the inter-Korean border, calling them legitimate defensive measures intended to prevent North Korean troops from crossing the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The ministry accused Pyongyang of shifting responsibility for rising military tensions to Seoul after Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, threatened to reinforce weapons deployments near the border and resume loudspeaker broadcasts toward the South. “The warning broadcasts and warning shots carried out by our military near the MDL are legitimate defensive measures aimed at preventing North Korean troops from crossing the line and compelling those who have crossed to withdraw,” a military official said during a background briefing Tuesday. The official expressed serious concern that Kim had criticized operations conducted under the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement while threatening further military action. The ministry urged Pyongyang to stop making “groundless claims” and crossing the

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