Pyongyang: North Korea on Saturday accused South Korea of opening fire at its soldiers along the border earlier this week, while also criticizing the joint military drill between Seoul and the United States.

According to Anadolu Agency, North Korean army's vice-chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol, stated that South Korean soldiers fired more than 10 warning shots using a 12.7 mm large-caliber machine gun at North Korean soldiers who were working on a permanent barrier project near the southern border line. This information was released in a statement by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

South Korea's joint chiefs of staff confirmed that the military fired warning shots on Tuesday, following the crossing of the Military Demarcation Line by North Korean troops, as reported by Yonhap News. Ko described the incident as a serious situation that could lead to uncontrollable tensions in the southern border area, where a significant number of forces are already stationed.

Ko further explained that prior notification about the construction was provided to avoid any misunderstanding and accidental conflict. He indicated that the incident, coinciding with the ongoing large-scale joint military drills by South Korea and the US, could be seen as a deliberate provocation aimed at inciting military conflict.

Expressing strong opposition, Ko demanded an end to what he termed as "dangerous provocation." He warned that if efforts to restrain or obstruct the non-military project continued, the North Korean army would consider it a deliberate military provocation and respond with appropriate countermeasures.

In a separate statement, a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army criticized the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, labeling it as a reckless war drill by the US and South Korean warmongers, further escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the region.