Description: North Korea has dispatched 120mm artillery howitzers in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) which overlaps with the military demarcation zone on its border with South Korea. The display of artillery arrives after weeks of tensions caused by a 21 Sep explosion in the DMZ which critically injured two South Korean soldiers. North and South Korea filled separate letters to the UN exchanging blame for the explosion. North Korea claimed that South Korea fabricated the explosion to originate due to military activities by North Korean soldiers. The UN Command, which is tasked with monitoring the DMZ claimed that North Korean soldiers were responsible for the explosion as they have misread the military demarcation zone within the DMZ.
Impact: North Korea’s artillery dispatch is highly likely a show of force move and military posturing towards South Korea in light of the renewed cross -border tensions. The explosion in the DMZ is unlikely to cause a direct military confrontation, however, it’s likely to stoke further bilateral tensions. South Korea is likely to respond proportionately, following North Korea’s military posturing. Direct talks between the two countries are unlikely in the short to mid – term, however, a gradual deescalation of tensions is expected at least in the mid – term.