The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military identified and tracked the individual near the central-west section of the military demarcation line and conducted a “guiding operation” before taking the person into custody Thursday night.

A North Korean man who identified himself as a civilian crossed the heavily fortified military demarcation line between the two Koreas and was taken into custody, the South's military said Friday.

South Korea’s new President, Lee Jae-myung, promotes dialogue and de-escalation with North Korea. However, shifting regional dynamics and Pyongyang’s deepening ties with Russia may limit the potential for real diplomatic breakthroughs.