N. Korea - believed to have planted landmines in Panmunjeom: ARIRANG NEWS

ARIRANG NEWS

Published on Aug 23, 2016

北, 판문점에 탈북 방지용 지뢰매설...북한 주민 3명 서해 상으로 귀순
Amid a string of defections by North Koreans lately,.... it's emerged that North Korea may be trying to stop its own soldiers fleeing to the South by planting landmines near the inter-Korean border.

But, it seems there's really very little the regime can do to stop of the flow... today, we have confirmation of another defection case - this time, a defection case of three North Koreans by sea. 

Our correspondent in charge of North Korean affairs, Connie Kim has our stop story tonight. North Korea has reportedly planted anti-personnel mines on the inter-Korean border,... which some officials believe are meant to stop the regime's soldiers from deserting the regime.

Citing an unnamed government source,... Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday that mines were planted near the so-called "Bridge of No Return."

The bridge is located in the truce village of Panmunjeom, which spans the military demarcation line between the two Koreas, and was the site of a prisoner exchange that followed the armistice that ended hostilities in the Korean War in 1953.

Under that agreement, landmines cannot be planted nor can border guards be armed in the area around Panmunjeom.

The United Nations Command said it's aware of North Korea's activities in the vicinity of the bridge, but would not speculate as to why the North Korean People's Army is mining the area.

However, it also said it strongly condemns any actions that jeopardize the safety of personnel in the Demilitarized Zone.

A South Korean military official said he believes North Korea's actions are part of efforts to prevent soldiers on the frontline from fleeing to the South.

Sources say North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is likely concerned the soldiers will be influenced by South Korea's latest round of loudspeaker broadcasts at the border including the defection of North Korea's deputy ambassador to Britain.

Despite Pyongyang's efforts to stop its people from fleeing,… Seoul has confirmed yet another defection -- this time, three North Koreans who entered South Korea this month through waters near Incheon, on the west coast.

Intelligence authorities said Tuesday the North Koreans expressed their wish to defect when found onboard a fishing boat in South Korean territorial waters. 

The North Koreans are under investigation by South Korea's National Intelligence Service,… but are believed to have embarked from China. 

With so many recent defections,... eyes are on how North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will respond. Some experts have raised the prospect of retailiation by the North through more provocations.

Connie Kim, Arirang News. That's right,... and South Korean officials have noted those provocations could come in the form of abductions or terror attacks on South Korean nationals abroad.

Today,... Seoul's foreign ministry issued a note of caution for South Koreans traveling or living overseas to be extra careful and avoid staying out alone especially after dark.

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