Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL2593
2006-08-01 09:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
BORDER GUARDS EXCHANGE FIRE ALONG DMZ
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #2593 2130929 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 010929Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9445 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1031 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 7442 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1108 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP// PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J3 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002593
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR PGOV KS
SUBJECT: BORDER GUARDS EXCHANGE FIRE ALONG DMZ
Classified By: CDA Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002593
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR PGOV KS
SUBJECT: BORDER GUARDS EXCHANGE FIRE ALONG DMZ
Classified By: CDA Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) On July 31, border guards of the two Koreas briefly
exchanged fire around 7:35 p.m. (local) in Yanggu, the
eastern portion of the demilitarized zone (DMZ). According
to the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) and United
Nations Command Military Armistice Commission initial
investigation results, North Korean soldiers fired two
bullets towards a South Korean guard post, ostensibly
accidentally. South Korean soldiers immediately return fired
six bullets, in accordance with the general outpost rules of
engagement. ROK JCS reported zero South Korean casualties.
2. (SBU) The media coverage on July 31 incident has been
minimal. Ministry of National Defense and the Blue House
have remained silent thus far. The sole public statement
since the incident is a statement issued by Representative
Chung Moon-Hun of the Grand National Party condemning the
shooting incident and calling for a close investigation.
3. (C) COMMENT: These limited exchanges of fire are not
unusual. Similar incidents took place in November 2001, July
2003, and October 2005. Sometimes they are truly accidental;
on other occasions, they have more political motives. Post
will continue to monitor the situation and report further
developments.
YUN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR PGOV KS
SUBJECT: BORDER GUARDS EXCHANGE FIRE ALONG DMZ
Classified By: CDA Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) On July 31, border guards of the two Koreas briefly
exchanged fire around 7:35 p.m. (local) in Yanggu, the
eastern portion of the demilitarized zone (DMZ). According
to the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) and United
Nations Command Military Armistice Commission initial
investigation results, North Korean soldiers fired two
bullets towards a South Korean guard post, ostensibly
accidentally. South Korean soldiers immediately return fired
six bullets, in accordance with the general outpost rules of
engagement. ROK JCS reported zero South Korean casualties.
2. (SBU) The media coverage on July 31 incident has been
minimal. Ministry of National Defense and the Blue House
have remained silent thus far. The sole public statement
since the incident is a statement issued by Representative
Chung Moon-Hun of the Grand National Party condemning the
shooting incident and calling for a close investigation.
3. (C) COMMENT: These limited exchanges of fire are not
unusual. Similar incidents took place in November 2001, July
2003, and October 2005. Sometimes they are truly accidental;
on other occasions, they have more political motives. Post
will continue to monitor the situation and report further
developments.
YUN