South Korean troops fired warning shots on Tuesday after a group of approximately ten North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) into the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The incident occurred at around 5 p.m. local time. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the North Korean soldiers retreated immediately after the warning broadcasts and gunfire. No casualties were reported.

Military officials said the purpose of the incursion remains unclear. The South Korean military is continuing to monitor the situation closely and stated that it responded in accordance with established rules of engagement.

This is the latest in a series of similar incidents along the heavily fortified border. In 2024, multiple brief crossings by North Korean troops occurred in the same area, prompting warning shots from South Korean forces. Officials at that time suggested the violations were likely accidental due to overgrown foliage obscuring the MDL boundary markers.

Tuesday’s border breach comes amid rising regional tensions. North Korea has intensified its military posture in recent months, including renewed missile activity and closer strategic alignment with Russia. Diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration have so far failed to elicit any formal engagement from Pyongyang.

Compounding the situation, South Korea is undergoing a period of political instability following the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol last week after his imposition of martial law during nationwide protests. A caretaker government is currently in place.

The DMZ, which has separated the two Koreas since the 1953 armistice, remains one of the most militarized zones on earth, patrolled by thousands of troops and layered with mines, barriers, and surveillance systems.