ROK, DPRK agree to defuse tension after talks

With the second session being under way, President Park said Monday morning that unless the DPRK apologizes for provocations, including landmine blasts, and pledges measures to prevent recurrence, the ROK would keep broadcasting propaganda messages with loudspeakers and take other actions.

Seoul resumed the broadcasts in 11 frontline army units, which Pyongyang called a declaration of war, from Aug 10 to retaliate against the Aug 4 explosion of landmines that wounded two ROK soldiers. The ROK said DPRK forces had deliberately planted the mines, while the DPRK claimed it was fabricated.

On Aug 20, the DPRK fired four shells into the southern part of the DMZ, according to the ROK's military, which shot back a barrage of 29 artillery rounds. The exchange of fire made both militaries put in the highest alert.

Amid the escalating tension, the ROK put troops in maximum alert, and raised the joint reconnaissance alert with the United States to the second highest.

The DPRK ordered frontline combined forces into a state of war from Friday and issued an ultimatum to stop the propaganda broadcasts until 5 pm Saturday or face military actions. The deadline passed without any incident as the first session of emergency contact began from 6:30 pm on the same day.