South Korea Seeks Talks to Ease Tensions at Heavily Armed Border

South Korea has proposed talks with North Korea to clarify their border line and reduce military tensions, following repeated intrusions by North Korean soldiers. The Koreas' heavily militarized border, fraught with mines and defenses, remains a potent legacy of the unresolved Korean War conflict.

South Korea reached out to North Korea, proposing dialogue to delineate the contentious border and alleviate escalating military tensions. The overture follows a series of border intrusions by North Korean troops that sparked concerns about possible armed conflict.

The South Korean military has responded with warning shots to counter the frequent crossings by North Korean forces. These incidents are attributed to differing perceptions of the military demarcation line, many markers of which have been lost since the Korean War armistice in 1953.

South Korea's appeal for talks seeks to prevent accidental skirmishes and reopen communication channels, amid North Korea's determination to abandon reunification efforts, as reflected in constitutional revisions marking the South as a permanent adversary. The border, fortified with millions of mines and armed forces, remains one of the most dangerous in the world.

(With inputs from agencies.)