The defector suffered several gunshot wounds to his shoulder and abdomen, and is said to be in a critical condition. No injuries to South Korean personnel have been reported.

The JSA directly sits on the military demarcation line that divides the two Koreas with South and North Korean guards standing only a few feet away from each other. The area is overseen by the UNC, though UNC troops and officials are only stationed on the south side of the JSA.

Earlier, the defense ministry said it may seek to change the JSA rules of engagement, apparently to allow immediate return fire following North Korean provocations.

The Cheong Wa Dae official said the move was still up to the UNC.

President Moon Jae-in, too, has noted a need for South Korean troops at the JSA to be able to counter North Korean attacks.

The official insisted the president was only pointing out the need to have the means to prevent North Korean troops firing shots across the inter-Korean border, even at the JSA.

"We have no authority to change the rules of engagement, though we may say what we think. It is entirely up to the UNC, and the South Korean government has no plan to tell UNC what to do," the official said. (Yonhap)