North and South Korea exchange fire at border

[News_Editor]

North and South Korea exchange fire at border

2010-10-29 19:18:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL (BNO NEWS) -- Troops from South and North Korea on Friday exchanged fire in their densely militarized border, South Korean military officials said.

According to reports, shots were fired near the border in Hwacheon, 118 kilometers (73.3 miles) northeast of Seoul, but there were no reported injuries.

"Two shots were fired from a North Korean military guard post toward our GP around 5:26 p.m., and we immediately returned fire with three shots as under the rules of engagement," the South Korean official is quoted by Yonhap news agency. "There was no damage from the North Korean shots."

The reason behind the shootings is still unclear, but South Korean military officials are reportedly investigating whether it was connected to North's threat earlier Friday of physical retaliation over Seoul's refusal to hold inter-Korean military talks.

The military official also said that it had not been confirmed if the North Korean military took an aimed shot, adding that the United Nations Command would send a special investigation team to determine whether North Korea had violated terms of the armistice.

The exchange occurred as both sides make final preparations for their inter-Korean family reunions in which South and North Korea's Red Cross exchange a list of 100 applicants to reunite with their separated families.

According to reports, all of the applicants are above 70 years old with over half of them in their 80s. The reunions are to begin on Saturday, and the Unification Ministry said the meetings will proceed as scheduled.

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