South Korean government data shows that North Korea conducted forest burning in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) six times last year.
 
The data, which Saenuri Party Rep. Shon In-chun disclosed Friday after acquiring it from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirms rekindled aggressiveness in the use of the tactic, which was employed only once in 2013.
 
The North also set fire to forests in the DMZ three times in 2012 and twice in 2011.
 
A total of 34-point-35 kilometers of South Korean military telecommunication lines were damaged due to the forest burning last year.
 
Discussing the lack of countermeasures, Shon proposed that the government mobilize a small fire truck to extinguish fires at the DMZ caused by the North.
 
Burning forests is a military tactic designed to secure a view of an enemy’s guard posts and reconnaissance activities ahead of launching offensive operations.