Seoul:South Korea's military has determined that North Korea deliberately planted two mines that exploded inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last month, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). A joint operation with the United Nations Command successfully removed additional mines located near the blast site.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the explosions on September 21 injured three South Korean military officers. The mines contained components consistent with North Korean mines, and fragments recovered from the injured soldiers matched those from previously found North Korean antipersonnel mines.
GPS data indicated that the blast sites and the location of another mine were about 10 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), suggesting intentional placement rather than accidental movement due to flooding, a common occurrence with North Korean mines.
The South Korean military cleared the minefield south of the MDL on Monday afternoon and plans to continue mine-removal efforts unless North Korea voluntarily removes the mines. Lt. Gen. Kwon Dae-won called for a sincere apology from North Korea and urged the removal of mines planted in violation of the Armistice Agreement.
North Korea has been reinforcing the inter-Korean border since April 2024, claiming hostile relations with South Korea. Despite South Korea's accusations, North Korea has denied responsibility for the DMZ explosions. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed Seoul's findings as fabricated and warned of retaliation if South Korea takes further action.