North Korea deploys amphibious landing craft amid Panmunjom talks

North Korea has deployed amphibious landing craft on its frontline amid the ongoing talks with South Korea which stretched into the third day, in order to avert a full-fledged conflict. Despite the high-ranking talks, there have been no signs of tensions defusing in the Korean peninsula.

Nearly 10 North Korean air-cushioned landing craft - one of Pyongyang's key infiltration assets - were detected leaving the naval base in Cholsan, North Pyongan Province, to take up frontline positions in the tense frontier, sources told the Yonhap news agency.

"Since North Korea declared a semi-war state, its infiltration vehicles and forces have been actively moving," said a source. Its other military assets such as submarines and special artillery troops are also on the move heightening fears of an all-out war breaking out.

The source added: "Since the North declared a quasi-war condition, every move of the North Korean army is being detected by the joint surveillance assets of South Korea and the United States."

Meanwhile, the marathon talks are continuing in the truce village of Panmunjom inside the heavily-fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ) between top-level officials from both South and North Korea.

"Tough negotiations between high-level representatives of South and North Korea have been under way for many hours amid the grave security crisis on the Korean Peninsula," South Korean presidential spokesperson Min Kyung-wook told reporters.

A major sticking point in the talks remains South Korea's propaganda broadcasts, which angered Pyongyang setting off the present standoff. However, on Monday, 24 August, Seoul's loudspeakers resumed broadcasting anti-North messages.

In a related development, South Korea's six fighter jets have been called back from Alaska drills ahead of the original schedule.