(LEAD) restricted border area-unauthorized entry

(ATTN: ADDS JCS chairman's comments from parliamentary audit in paras 5-7)

SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean authorities are questioning a woman in her 30s after she made an unauthorized entry into a civilian restricted area near the inter-Korean border, a military official said Monday.

The individual, whose identity has been withheld, was taken into custody Sunday after illegally entering the Civilian Control Line (CCL) south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the front-line border region of Cheorwon, about 80 kilometers northeast of Seoul, a Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) official said.

"We have in custody an unidentified individual who, without authorization, approached military surveillance facilities in an area south of the general outpost and north of the CCL, and are investigating the exact circumstances with relevant agencies," a JCS official said.

She is suspected of crossing the CCL on Saturday and reaching a front-line general outpost, where she attempted to damage military surveillance installations, including tampering with fiber-optic security sensors along the border fences on Saturday and Sunday, according to officials with knowledge of the matter.

JCS Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung later confirmed that the woman severed the fence sensors "in multiple sections."

"After spotting (the woman) on CCTV, two of our personnel went out to check, but they were unable to make direct contact. They could only see her from a distance before she fled (the area)," Jin told lawmakers during a parliamentary audit.

"There were clearly limitations in securing custody of the individual (in the first place), and we recognize this as a serious shortcoming. I will make sure we fully address and rectify this issue," he said.

The CCL was established in the wake of the 1950-53 Korean War to restrict public access and protect military installations along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border.

Based on the initial questioning, the authorities said there are no suspicions of espionage or ties to North Korea. The JCS declined to comment further, including regarding her nationality or background, saying the investigation is ongoing.

The woman reportedly gave inconsistent statements about her motives during the questioning.

The military said it is tracing her exact route near the CCL and reviewing the operational posture at the front-line units for any other possible security breaches.

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