(2nd LD) N. Korean troops violated armistice in chasing defector: UNC

(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 5th para)

SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations Command (UNC) announced Wednesday that North Korea clearly violated the 1953 Armistice Agreement twice last week, when its border security guards tried to hunt down a fellow soldier defecting to South Korea via Panmunjom.

The command released video clips lasting a total of seven minutes showing the dramatic incident that happened at the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the truce village on Nov. 13.

A North Korean soldier, armed with a rifle, briefly crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), in pursuit of the fleeing man.

The UNC stressed that the North also breached the Armistice Agreement by firing weapons across the MDL.

Separate footage from a thermal observation device showed three members of South Korea's JSA security battalion forces -- a battalion commander and two non-commissioned officers -- crawling on their stomachs to recover the wounded defector lying next to a wall.

Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, the UNC commander, said the battalion personnel's actions were appropriate.

He cited a special investigation involving representatives from the U.S., South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, which was observed by members from Sweden and Switzerland of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.

"After thoroughly reviewing the investigation results, I assess the actions taken by the UNC Security Battalion were in a manner that is consistent with the Armistice Agreement, namely -- to respect the Demilitarized Zone and to take actions that deter a resumption of hostilities," Brooks said in a statement. "The armistice agreement was challenged but it remains in place."

The command added it notified the North's military of the violations earlier in the day and requested a meeting to discuss the issue.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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