South Korea fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily fortified border earlier this week, as tensions escalated between the two nations.

The incident prompted a strong response from Pyongyang, which accused Seoul of risking “uncontrollable” tensions.

South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae Myung has expressed a desire for warmer relations with North Korea and aims to build “military trust”. However, Pyongyang has shown little interest in improving ties, with state media describing the warning shots as a “premeditated and deliberate provocation”.

According to South Korea’s military, several North Korean soldiers entered the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) on Tuesday while working to seal the border.

In response, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that warning shots were fired, prompting the North Korean troops to retreat.

North Korean Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol labelled the incident as a serious provocation and warned that it could escalate the situation along the border.

He stated that the North would retaliate against any interference with its border sealing efforts, viewing such actions as deliberate military provocations.

The last significant border confrontation occurred in early April when South Korean forces issued warning shots after a similar incursion by North Korean soldiers.

Under Lee more hawkish predecessor, relations between the two Koreas has reached a low point. However, since taking office in June, Lee has pledge to pursue dialogue without preconditions and aims to reduce tensions and restore trust.

Despite these intentions, South Korea and the United States began annual joint military exercises on Monday, which Lee described as “defensive” and not aimed at heightening tensions.

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a rapid expansion of the North’s nuclear capabilities, citing the US-South Korean drills as a potential catalyst for conflict.