Multiple North Korean soldiers injured in landmine explosions after they crossed the DMZ

Dozens of North Korean soldiersbriefly crossed theDemilitarized Zone (DMZ)on Tuesday (June 18) but retreatedafter warning shots were fired, according to South Korean authorities. South Korea'sJoint Chiefs of Staff said that landmine explosions near the border injured multiple North Korean soldiers.

The JCS said thatPyongyang had recently deployed troops in the area to clear scrub and lay mines, as relations between the two Koreas plummet. The Tuesday crossing -- like a previous one on June 9 -- was accidental, with some 20 to 30NorthKorean soldiers carrying work tools involved in the incident, it added.

Speaking to the news agency AFP, a JCS official said, "Dozens ofNorthKorean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line today... (and) retreated northwards after warning shots were fired."

'Pyongyang pressing ahead with operations'

NorthKorean soldiers tasked with reinforcing the bordersuffered multiple casualties from "repeated landmine explosion incidents" but they "appear to be recklessly pressing ahead with the operations", the official added.

The official also said that Pyongyang's activitiesseemed to be a measure to strengthen internal control, such as blockingNorthKorean troops andNorthKoreans from defecting to the South.

Putin set to visit North Korea

Tuesday's incident came just hours before Russian PresidentVladimir Putin visits Pyongyang, sparking concern inSeoul, which has accused theNorthof shipping arms to Moscow for use in Ukraine in exchange for help with its nascent satellite programme.

The two Koreasremain at war as the 1950-1953 conflict ended in an armistice,and the Demilitarized Zone dividing the peninsula is already one of the most heavily mined places on Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)