South Korea crosses DMZ on a rare trip to North Korea.
Written byTimes Magazine
the heavily fortified border with North Korea in desertion. The man could evade detection for hours despite searching for South Korean troops.
Seoul's military leaders said they did not know if the man was still alive but sent messages north asking for protection. North Korea has implemented a local shooting policy during the pandemic.
The person was found Saturday at around 21:20 local time (12:20 GMT) in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas at a point on the east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
Seoul's defense authorities have pledged to review the border defense system for similar violations in the past.
In September 2020, North Korean troops shot and killed a South Korean fisherman who went missing on the high seas. The incident caused a stir. Pyongyang blamed antivirus rules and apologized.
North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un earlier declared a state of emergency and closed the city after a North Korean defector Kim said symptoms of Covid had spread from south to north.
The pandemic-related blockade in North Korea and restrictions on movement have also reduced the number of defectors from north to south.
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The border between North or South Korea is one of the most fortified areas globally. It is riddled with mines, surrounded by electric fences and barbed wire and security cameras, and armed guards must be alert 24 hours a day.
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