Two Soldiers Awarded Month-Long Leave for Securing North Korean Defector

Two army soldiers have been granted a 29-night, 30-day reward leave for their role in safely securing a North Korean civilian who crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). According to military sources on July 23, the Joint Chiefs of Staff awarded commendations to ten soldiers involved in the operation that took place on July 3. Among them, two are active-duty soldiers who will enjoy the longest possible leave under military regulations, which allows for a month of reward leave in cases of significant contributions, such as guiding defectors. Additionally, some of the soldiers who participated in this operation may receive further commendations from the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the Army. Earlier, the military reported that at around 3 AM on July 3, they successfully secured a North Korean male civilian who had crossed the MDL in the central-western front of the DMZ. The individual reportedly remained still during the day and moved through the underbrush of a river at night. The military tracked him using thermal imaging devices (TOD) and dispatched an operational team. When the team leader, a sergeant, identified himself as a South Korean soldier and assured the man of his safety, the civilian exited the DMZ without resistance. The determination of his defector status will be clarified through investigations by relevant authorities.