South Korea links explosions near Ganghwa Island to possible North Korean coastal work
South Korea’s military now assesses that continuing blasts across the border from Ganghwa Island are linked to work on coastal security facilities.
South Korea’s military said on Oct. 13 that continuing explosions on North Korea’s coast opposite Ganghwa Island appear linked to the reinforcement of coastal security facilities. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Jang Do-young said the military was monitoring activity north of the neutral waters of the Han River estuary, Yonhap reported. The purpose of the blasts remains the military’s assessment.
Earlier footage of blasts near Ganghwa Island
SBS, citing NHK, reported that footage filmed on Oct. 7 showed as many as 50 people carrying out successive explosions along a riverbank south of Kaesong, across the Jogang River from Ganghwa Island. An island resident interviewed by NHK described loud blasts unlike any he had experienced in more than 60 years. The footage does not establish the full purpose of the work or whether it is complete.
Sources and context
- Explosions heard across border island likely tied to N. Korea's coastal reinforcement: S. Korean militaryYonhap News Agency
- NHK: North Korea Conducts Successive Explosions South of Kaesong, Suspected FortificationSBS News
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