Overview

• KCNA quoted KPA Vice Chief Ko Jong-chol alleging South Korean forces fired more than 10 rounds from a 12.7 mm machine gun on Aug. 19 at soldiers working on a border barrier.
• North Korea says the work is a project to permanently block the southern border and claims it notified U.S. forces of the plan on June 25 and July 18.
• South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said troops issued warnings and then fired when North Korean soldiers violated the MDL in a central sector around 3 p.m. Tuesday, prompting a retreat.
• Pyongyang warned it would take a corresponding countermeasure against any restraint or obstruction of the barrier project and disclaimed responsibility for potential grave consequences.
• North Korea also condemned the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills as extremely provocative, as outside observers continue to note its expanded fences and anti-tank barriers near the border since 2024.