Seoul: South Korea on Tuesday accused archrival North Korea of discharging water from a dam near the inter-Korean border recently without prior notice, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, Seoul's Unification Ministry revealed that North Korea appears to have released water from the Hwanggang Dam, located upstream on the Imjin River, which flows across the inter-Korean border. The discharges occurred twice between June and July, both times without informing South Korea.

The water was discharged on June 25 and again on July 18. A ministry official reiterated Seoul's call for Pyongyang to provide prior notice before releasing water from the border dam, citing "humanitarian" concerns. The official emphasized the need for advance notification to prevent potential harm to South Korean residents.

In September 2009, an unannounced discharge from the Hwanggang Dam led to flooding in the South Korean border city of Yeoncheon, resulting in six residents dead or missing. This incident underscored the potential dangers of unexpected water releases.

"The government is monitoring the situation regarding North Korea's water discharge in cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent any damage to border areas from heavy rains," the official stated. The statement reflects ongoing efforts to mitigate risks associated with such discharges.

In late 2009, Pyongyang agreed to provide prior notice before discharging water from the dam. However, the recent actions suggest a deviation from this agreement, raising concerns about the adherence to previously established protocols.