North Koreans seize farmers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.North Korean border guards abducted two South Korean farmers yesterday inside the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas, the United Nations Command said.
The command said 12 armed North Korean soldiers crossed into the southern half of the buffer zone, seized the two in a rice field and took them back to the northern side. It called the abduction an apparent armistice violation.
"The South Korean government strongly demands that the North return the South Korean citizens immediately and safely," Defence Ministry spokesman Kang June-kwon said.
The incident took place in what is known as the joint security area near the border village of Panmunjom. The area is under the control of the UN command.
The command said a battalion of primarily US troops had been put on alert in the area and a senior member of the UN Military Armistice Commission was trying to contact North Korean officials.
The command said there had been no exchange of fire.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments