Unarmed North Korean crosses land mine-laced DMZ into South Korean custody amid growing criticism of Seoul's diplomatic shift and reports of trash-filled balloon launches from the North.

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.

He was detected by South Korea’s military around 3 a.m. Thursday, according to Seoul’s Defense Ministry, navigating through the land-mine-laden DMZ, which stretches more than 2 miles wide and ...

A North Korean military guard post, loudspeaker, top left, and South Korean army soldiers, bottom right, are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on June 12.

A North Korean military guard post, loudspeaker, top left, and South Korean army soldiers, bottom right, are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on June 12.