A soldier died at the border with North Korea. South Korea has launched an investigation

“A non-commissioned officer at a front-line unit in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, was found unconscious with external injuries and later died. Military and civil investigative authorities are currently examining the exact cause and circumstances of the incident,” the military stated in an official announcement.

As reported by the “JoongAng” daily, the junior sergeant, who “lay unconscious with a serious head injury,” was found in a building on the base by another soldier on Monday morning. The media and the military have not provided further details.

Reuters noted that the incident occurred during a period of heightened tension in the border region. In September, three South Korean soldiers were injured as a result of landmine explosions. Seoul accused Pyongyang of secretly planting them south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which the North Korean authorities deny. In response, the North Korean military deployed artillery in the western section of the Demilitarised Zone. Authorities in Pyongyang also threatened to resume propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers positioned along the border.

In late October, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defence proposed talks to North Korea to verify the course of the MDL between the two countries and restore communication between their armed forces. Pyongyang did not respond directly to the offer, but has since conducted missile tests, which analysts suggest signify a rejection of dialogue in favour of further demonstrations of force.