South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo said on Monday "it is a violation for North Korea to shoot someone who is trying to defect".

He was speaking on a visit to the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Korean Demilitarised Zone.

Song said Pyongyang violated the armistice agreement - signed between North and South Korea in 1953 - with the recent shooting of a North Korean soldier who defected to the South over the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) two weeks ago.

Four North Korean soldiers fired about 40 rounds at the soldier and hit him five times. It was the first shooting at the jointly controlled area of the heavily fortified border in more than 30 years, according to the South's military.

Panmunjom - 27 November 2017

1. South Korean Defence minister Song Young-moo (wearing non-military uniform) walking alongside US and Korean soldiers in Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Korea Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)

2. Various of Song, soldiers, government officials and reporters touring DMZ

3. Close of Song and soldiers

4. Two North Korean military officials looking on, one holding binoculars

5. Song, soldiers and government officials

6. Two North Korean military officials, one looking through binoculars, seen in distance past heads of South Korean officials

7. Song, soldiers, government officials and reporters in DMZ

8. Close of US soldier pointing at tree

9. Three North Korean military officials walking

10. North Korean soldier looking through binoculars

11. Wide of Song, soldiers, and government officials

12. Close of Song nodding

13. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Song Young-moo, South Korean Defence Minister:

"It is a violation for North Korea to shoot someone who is trying to defect to South (Korea). It is a violation for North Korea to cross the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). It is a violation for North Korean to possess automatic rifles. I am here today to remind North Korea of those matters through the media."

14. Three North Korean military officials walking away

15. Wide of Song, soldiers, government officials and reporters

16. Tilt down on JSA

17. Various of bullet holes in wall

18. Various of JSA grounds

19. Three North Korean military officials

20. Wide of JSA site

21. Sign reading (Korean) "Panmungak

22. Pan of buildings at JSA