Tensions between north and South Korea escalated rapidly in the late summer of 2015 after an august 4 landmine blast in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the fortified border that separates the two sides of the peninsula. The explosion blew off the legs of two patrolling South Korean soldiers and triggered a heated exchange between the two sides. After an 11-year hiatus, South Korea began broadcasting propaganda on loudspeakers along the border toward the North. Pyongyang promptly fired on the speakers, declaring it was entering “semi-war” status, which prompted a return of fire from the ROK.

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Victor Cha
Senior Vice President for Asia and Korea Chair

Lisa Collins