An unidentified North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified land border separating the two Koreas and is in South Korean custody, the South’s military said Friday. 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.