South Korea warns of “decisive punishment” for new North Korean provocations after Kim Yo Jong’s border threats

South Korea threatens North Korea with “decisive punishment” if Pyongyang uses South Korean border measures as a pretext for new provocations. The reply came on Tuesday, October 20 from Seoul’s Ministry of National Defence, a day after a statement by Kim Yo Jong, sister of the North Korean leader, that the situation at the border is “very unstable”. The ministry expressed “serious concern” over her criticism of the army’s “legitimate operations” under the Armistice Agreement and over the escalation of tension with military threats.

“Our military’s warning broadcasts and warning shots near the Military Demarcation Line are legitimate, defensive measures aimed at deterring North Korean soldiers from violating it and driving back those who cross it,” the ministry said. Seoul calls on the North to stop its “unreasonable claims” and violations of the line and to respond to efforts to resolve the differing interpretations of its demarcation.

The same day Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Jin Yong-sung visited a unit on the central front. He called it “unacceptable” that North Korea presented the army’s legitimate measures as provocation, blaming it for the tension, and ordered units to respond decisively if the enemy carries out new provocations. He also called for operations that strengthen South Korea’s initiative in the Demilitarised Zone.

Kim Yo Jong’s warning

In her Monday statement Kim Yo Jong warned that Seoul “will certainly regret it” and will face an “uncontrollably terrible danger”. She said the North is considering stepping up the deployment of “tactical strike means” along the border and resuming loudspeaker broadcasts toward the South. She claimed the South Korean military carried out 2,870 loudspeaker broadcasts and 201 warning shots from August 1 to October 17, and spoke of a “fabricated landmine explosion farce”. She also attacked the government of President Lee Jae-myung, saying it has “surpassed” the government of Yoon Suk-yeol.

Tension has been rising since the landmine explosion in the zone on September 21, which wounded three South Korean soldiers. South Korea’s military concluded it was caused by anti-personnel mines laid by the North, which Pyongyang denies. In the following days North Korea launched a ballistic missile from Wonsan. South Korea had stopped loudspeaker broadcasts last year as part of Lee’s policy of restoring trust, and the North had done the same.