N. Korean Soldiers Enter Demilitarized Zone

Seven North Korean soldiers entered the tense demilitarized zone between the two Koreas on Friday and fired shots in the air before retreating when South Korean troops fired warning shots, the Seoul government said.

The North Korean soldiers crossed the demarcation line in the middle of the demilitarized zone, meaning that they technically intruded into South Korea by 20 or 30 yards, according to statements by the South.

The incident, if it is as South Korea describes it, would be an open challenge to the U.S. and South Korean forces in the area. It would also be a severe breach of the armistice that keeps the peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Still, the number of troops involved was so small that North Korea was presumably trying to make a point more than pick a fight. The border is heavily fortified, and the seven North Korean soldiers did not pose a major threat.

Friday’s incident, which lasted several hours, was similar to a series of incursions by North Korean troops on three nights in early April. Those incidents involved many more troops and more serious weaponry, but the North Korean soldiers did not fire or cross into South Korea.

The most common interpretation of North Korea’s behavior has been that the Communist authorities are engaging in a bit of brinkmanship, trying to underscore the danger of the situation on the border. North Korea has been trying to discredit the armistice, which has kept the peace since the end of the Korean War in 1953, by showing that the armistice is ineffective.

The idea is that the United States might then want to replace the armistice with a real peace treaty negotiated with North Korea.

While North Korea has repeatedly called for peace talks with Washington alone, the United States is willing to consider discussions only if South Korea is allowed to play a central part.