Seoul:The South Korean military has initiated an operation to clear land mines believed to have been planted by North Korea in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), following a recent explosion that injured three South Korean service members.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the operation started after two land mines exploded on September 21 south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the western DMZ. The blast resulted in serious injuries to two of the three affected officers.
A joint inspection conducted by the United Nations Command (UNC) and South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) determined that the mines were "highly likely" planted by North Korea, leading to calls for an apology from Pyongyang. Additionally, two more land mines were identified at and near the initial blast site.
The UNC, responsible for overseeing the DMZ, stated that the explosion violated the Armistice Agreement that ended the Korean War in 1953. However, North Korea has denied any involvement, claiming that South Korea's findings are fabricated and threatening "immediate and merciless" retaliation if provoked.