On Wednesday, 21 October 2026, KCNA reported that Marshal Pak Jong-chon inspected fortified positions on the southern border on Tuesday. Reuters called him the army chief; state media presents him as an adviser to the Ministry of National Defence. This is an inspection and a conditional order, not an exchange of fire announced on Wednesday.

He was accompanied by Ri Il-hwan, Kim Yo-jong and officers of the General Staff. Pak spoke of a project to “permanently close” the border and rejected the South Korean claim that North Korean soldiers had crossed the line. “Our army knows where our borderline is better than any others and we are doing what we should do in our territory.” Yonhap notes that Seoul speaks of up to 50 crossings of the Military Demarcation Line this year. Those are two accounts, not a shared finding.

If enemy troops actually threaten the safety of North Korean soldiers, after warning loudspeakers and shots, Pak said, “never pardon them but launch prompt and resolute action. It is not a time to merely engage in a war of words.” He called for “proficient, specialized and overwhelming” military action. Kim Yo-jong added that new firepower units had “taken their firing positions.” That is a claim of deployment, not confirmation that anyone fired on Tuesday.

The inspection follows Kim Yo-jong’s remarks on Monday about extra tactical assets on the border and a possible return of propaganda loudspeakers. On Tuesday the South Korean military promised decisive measures against further provocation. CNA writes that tension has risen since Pyongyang began fortifying the line in April 2024: mines, wire, anti-tank obstacles. Last month mine blasts in the DMZ wounded three South Korean soldiers; Seoul and the UN Command attribute them to the North, which denies it.

Kim Yo-jong cited the head of state’s order to make the border “eternally impregnable,” with no compromise on sovereignty. The fortification is presented as work in progress, not as an open battle on Wednesday. Neither KCNA nor Yonhap reports an exchange of fire on the day of publication.

Image: Panmunjom village in the DMZ, North Korea, 21 October 2012, calflier001, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons. Panmunjom in 2012, not Tuesday’s inspection.

Sources consulted: KPA Marshal Pak Jong Chon Inspects Southern Border under Fortification — KCNA; N.K. leader's sister, military marshal inspect border fortification site, warn of 'overwhelming' responses — Yonhap; North Korea tells border troops to take 'resolute action' if South threatens their safety — CNA.