North Korea appears to have begun releasing water from a dam near the inter-Korean border without giving prior notice to the South, the environment ministry said Tuesday.The Imjin River downstream of the North's Hwanggang Dam had swelled based on analysis of satellite imagery, the ministry said, noting that it had shared the relevant information with the military and local municipalities.The released water, however, is presumed to not be a significant amount.If the North discharges 500 tons of water per second from the dam, it is expected to take nine hours for the water to reach the South's northernmost Pilseung Bridge on the Imjin River.The water level and flow rate at the bridge currently remain stable at 0.48 meters and 30 cubic meters per second, respectively.North Korea is said to not have given prior notice to the South over the latest discharge. It last notified the South of a release from Hwanggang Dam in 2013.South Korea has repeatedly called on the North to give prior notice of such re leases to prevent possible damage, but Pyongyang has not responded amid growing cross-border tensions stemming from the North's continued weapons testing and provocative acts.Source: Yonhap News Agency