North Korea, South Korea exchange gunfire across border, raising tensions

North and South Korea exchanged gunfire around the South’s guard post early on Sunday, raising tension a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ended an almost three-week absence from public life with state media showing him visiting a factory.

1:39 North Korea remains tight-lipped on return of Kim Jong Un to public eye

Multiple gunshots were fired from North Korea at 7:41 a.m. local time towards a guard post in South Korea that borders the North, the South’s joint chiefs of staffs said in a statement.

South Korea responded by firing two shots towards North Korea, no injuries were reported.

1:37 South Korea says North Korea’s Kim may be trying to avoid coronavirus

After weeks of intense speculation about Kim’s health and whereabouts, the country’s official media published photographs and a report on Saturday that Kim had attended the completion of a fertilizer plant, the first report of his appearance since April 11.

1:53 Coronavirus outbreak: UN says North Korea should allow outside help