North Korea installing more landmines along front line that could sweep into the South: Report

South Korea's military said on Wednesday (Jul 17) that North Korean soldiers have been installing barriers and landmines along the front line for months despite accidents. Seoul said that Pyongyanghas recently placed tens of thousands of additional deadly explosives along the heavily fortified border. In addition to that, the weather might make the situation worse.

As reported by the news agency Reuters, the defence ministry provided a statement citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) which stated that North Korea's military has continued its work forcibly despite multiple casualties caused by some 10 accidents involving landmine explosions and heat illness.

The ministry said that female soldiers were also deployed for the work in some areas.

South Korea's Defence Minister Shin Won-sik held a meeting on the same day on North Korea's "provocations" and said the military faces a "complex crisis" further complicated by unpredictable natural disasters, according to a separate statement released by the ministry.

Seoul said that along with anti-tank barriers and reinforced roadways, border construction has been underway since April and during that period,Pyongyang alsolaid mines.

South Korean officials believe that North Korea wants to strengthen its frontline security posture.

South Korea said it was also preparing for the possibility of North Korean soldiers accidentally defecting amid poor working conditions.

Seoul raised serious concerns about the possibility of these landmines getting swept into the South by flooding. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy rain battered the South Korean capitaland surrounding areas on Wednesday with downpours expected for North Korea.

The statement read that South Korea's military was getting ready to react in case the North released dam water unexpectedly during intense rain and landmines were washed away.

(With inputs from agencies)