▲ Gaepung County in North Hwanghae Province, seen from the Ganghwa Peace Observatory at the northernmost point of Ganghwa Island
South Korea's military stated that explosions recently heard in areas north of Ganghwa Island appear to be caused by the North Korean military reinforcing its coastal guard facilities.
Jang Doyoung, head of the public affairs office at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said at a regular briefing today (October 13), "Explosions continue to be heard in North Korean coastal areas north of the neutral waters of the Han River estuary, off the coast of Ganghwa Island."
Regarding the sounds, Jang explained, "We assess that the North Korean military is reinforcing its coastal guard facilities, and we are closely monitoring related developments."
Earlier, Japan's NHK reported yesterday (October 12) that North Korea was spotted carrying out blasting operations, presumed to be fortification work, in an area near Kaesong north of Ganghwa Island.
A resident in their 60s living on Ganghwa Island told NHK, "The blasting work seems to be progressing gradually from east to west. Because it is so close, the loud bangs sound enormous. I have lived here for more than 60 years, but this is the first time something like this has happened."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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