Unsettling Explosions Heard Again in Border Area: Military Says 'Not Military-Related,' but Unease Lingers

Videos and reports showing thick gray smoke rising alongside explosive sounds in North Korean areas near Ganghwa Island have recently been spreading across social media.

While North Korea is presumed to be carrying out intentional blasting, the specific nature of the activity remains unconfirmed.

Some have raised suspicions that the noises may stem from North Korean artillery firing drills or work related to the so-called "border fortification" in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) area.

However, the military assesses that the explosions are not military-related.

According to Ganghwa County, explosions have been heard repeatedly since June – July around Dangsan-ri, Songhae-myeon, Ganghwa County, Incheon, accompanied by plumes of heavy dust rising from North Korean territory.

This border area is only about 2 kilometers away from North Korea in a straight line.

It is also near the Civilian Control Line.

Some also raise the possibility that North Korea may be conducting work for building construction or land reclamation.

Still, given that it is an inter-Korean border area, the possibility of military activities that have not yet been precisely identified cannot be ruled out.

Earlier, in early September, reports spread on social media showing plumes of dust rising along with explosive sounds around Kaepung County, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, prompting speculation over whether it was North Korean military action.

Since Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, defined inter-Korean relations as "two hostile states" in December 2023 and vowed physical separation, North Korea has been carrying out "border fortification" work north of the Military Demarcation Line within the DMZ, including clearing tactical roads, installing barbed wire and barriers, and laying new landmines.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Lee Da-in | Design by Lee Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.