| Advertisement |
May 23 (UPI) -- South Korea fired about 90 warning shots at an unidentifiable object flew across the demilitarized zone from North Korea. Seoul's military broadcasted a warning in response to the incursion into South Korean airspace as falling rain obstructed a better view of the object, local news service MoneyToday reported Tuesday.
Advertisement
When the object did not retreat the military ordered the warning shots.
"About 4 p.m. today we detected an unidentified object crossing the military demarcation line, issued a warning, then fired warning shots according to rules of conduct," Seoul's joint chiefs of staff said in statement.
The shots were fired from K-3 machine guns, as rain came down in the remote region near the east coast of Korea.
Weather conditions hindered a clearer view of the flying object, captured on radar cruising at a speed lower than most drones, according to Yonhap news agency.
The South's military said North Korea may have dispatched the object in order to test South Korea's military preparedness.
"The unidentified object is undergoing analysis ... our military will strengthen its anti-aircraft surveillance and maintain alertness," the joint chiefs said.
The incident marks the first time in more than a year North Korea has deployed an aerial vehicle across the border.
On Jan. 13, 2016, North Korea flew a drone across the DMZ and the South fired more than 20 warning shots.
On Tuesday Seoul's unification ministry said its priority is to solve North Korea's nuclear issue.
Conciliatory measures, including the reopening of a jointly operated factory park in North Korea or the resumption of tourism to the Kumgang Mountains would be "long-term initiatives," the ministry said.
Newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in had pledged to reopen the factories at Kaesong after operations were abruptly suspended in February of 2016.
