North Korean Troops Haven't Crossed Inter-Korean Border This Year: Source

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korean troops have not crossed the inter-Korean border so far this year as Pyongyang appears to have completed land-clearing work as part of its border fortification measures, a military source said Tuesday.

North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) at least 17 times last year, but there have been no reports of such violations so far this year, according to the source.

The sharp contrast comes as North Korea appears to have largely completed work to level the ground and clear brush near the border by late 2025.

Since April 2024, North Korean troops have been detected briefly crossing the MDL when it installed barbed wire fences, planted mines and erected anti-tank barriers as part of border control measures.

The South Korean military issues warning messages and fires warning shots in the event of such a border intrusion in a bid to prompt North Korean troops to withdraw, but no such need arose this year, according to the source.

North Korea has bolstered border fortification work since the North's leader Kim Jong-un declared inter-Korean relations as those between "two hostile states" in late 2023.

In March, North Korea resumed efforts to strengthen border control measures after a brief winter hiatus, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

North Korea is believed to be installing tactical roads and barbed-wire fences on areas where land-clearing operations were completed.

"The South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean troop activities near the MDL," the JCS said, adding it is maintaining a "firm readiness posture" while stably managing the military situation.