Russia Calls on Seoul, Pyongyang to Take Practical Steps to Ease Tensions

Last week, North Korea fired shells at a South Korean military base across the demilitarized zone in attempt to stop propaganda broadcasting from loudspeakers. Seoul responded with dozens of heavy artillery rounds.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Recent tensions on the Korean peninsula prove the urgency of taking practical steps to reduce the level of military confrontation in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Seoul and Pyongyang reached an agreement on Monday to defuse tensions in the current border standoff.

"Recurring tensions between North and South Korea, which continue against the backdrop of increased military activities by third countries, cannot but cause serious concern. This once again proves the urgency of taking practical steps to advance military detente on the Korean peninsula and around it," the ministry said in a statement.