One unidentified person crosses into front line of Gangwon-do, presumed defector... Military issues 'Jindo Dog Two' alert (Comprehensive)

Joint Chiefs of Staff: "Military Surveillance Equipment Detected, Operation Underway"... Identity Not Yet Confirmed

▲ Sergeant Im, who deserted after the GOP shooting spree, has been captured.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Military authorities are conducting a large-scale search operation after belatedly detecting that an unidentified individual approached the barbed wire fence on the eastern front line of Gangwon Province. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the unidentified person is a North Korean soldier or a civilian.

According to military authorities on the 4th, the military detected on surveillance equipment that an unidentified individual crossed the barbed wire from the northern area to the south on the eastern front line the previous afternoon, and issued the counter-infiltration alert "Jindotgae Dul" while conducting a large-scale search. Jindotgae is a defense readiness posture issued by commanders at the regimental level or higher when there is a possibility of local provocations such as armed guerrilla infiltration. This time, the alert level was raised one step from the peacetime "Jindotgae Set".

Military authorities are reported to have not yet secured the whereabouts of the individual who crossed to the south. While the possibility of a simple defection is considered likely, it has not been confirmed whether the individual is a North Korean soldier or a civilian. Some have also criticized the military for belatedly recognizing the damage to the barbed wire fence.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "Currently, an unidentified individual has been detected by our military surveillance equipment in the eastern front area and operations are underway," adding, "Specific details will be explained after the operation concludes."