한국 군 당국이 서해 북방한계선 해상에서 북한의 도발 가능성을 염두에 두고 대비태세를 강화하고 있다고 밝혔습니다.
한국 국방부는 3일 국회에 보고한 자료를 통해 서해상에서 북한의 함정 공격과 어선 납치에 대비해 감시와 통제활동을 강화하고 있다고 밝혔습니다.
남북 관계는 최근 북한이 군사분계선을 통한 육로통행 제한, 차단 조치를 취하며 악화돼 왔으며 이후 북한은 개성 공단에 상주하는 남한 측 인력을 대폭 축소시켰습니다.
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South Korea's military says it is preparing for the possibility that North Korea may try to provoke a naval skirmish along their disputed sea border.
A Defense Ministry report to parliament today (Wednesday)said the military is preparing for the possibility that the North may launch attacks on naval ships or seize South Korean fishing boats.
Relations have been steadily deteriorating in recent weeks as Pyongyang has sealed off its border. North Korea has also ordered the expulsion of hundreds of South Koreans working at a joint industrial estate in the North.
The North says its actions are in protest of what it calls South Korea's confrontational policies.
Ties have steadily worsened since conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak stepped into office in February.