North Korea has replaced dozens of guards and fortified a section of its border with South Korea following the dramatic defection of one of its soldiers last week, a report said on Friday.
The 24-year-old soldier, identified only by his surname, Oh, is recovering in a South Korean hospital after being shot at least four times by his comrades as he dashed across the border.
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“We’ve detected signs that all North Korean guards at the Joint Security Area (JSA) were replaced immediately after the defection,” South Korea’s mass-circulated Chosun Ilbo daily said, citing government sources.
The report said around 35 to 40 North Koreans normally stand guard at the JSA, which is located at the Panmunjom truce village — the only portion of the border where forces from the two sides stand face-to-face.
“They will likely be held accountable for not being able to prevent the defection,” it added.
Oh made his dash over the border at Panmunjom on November 13.
Footage showed his former comrades opening fire on him as he raced on foot over the line that divides the two countries, after driving a military jeep to the JSA.
