Seoul:The deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) has emphasized the necessity for "careful and transparent" planning and communication in handling incidents along the inter-Korean border, following a recent land mine explosion that injured South Korean soldiers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lt. Gen. Scott Winter made these remarks on a podcast, noting the heightened tensions since the mine blast on September 21 inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean troops, two of them severely. The explosion has led to a heated exchange between Seoul and Pyongyang, with South Korea accusing the North of violating the Armistice Agreement, while North Korea claims South Korea fabricated its investigation.
The mine blast occurred during an operation to clear a path for a UNC investigation into North Korea's border activities, which include erecting fences and laying mines, potentially violating the armistice. While Seoul attributes the explosion to Pyongyang, the UNC has only confirmed that an antipersonnel mine found on the southern side of the Military Demarcation Line constitutes an armistice violation.
Critics in Seoul have expressed concern over the UNC's response, describing it as passive. Lt. Gen. Winter, during the podcast, did not disclose details about the UNC's ongoing joint investigation with Seoul nor whether the UNC has specifically contacted Pyongyang regarding the incident. However, he stated that the UNC communicates with the North Korean military twice daily through established channels.
Winter underscored the importance of this communication to prevent escalation and to convey any potential violations firmly. The UNC holds investigative authority over cross-border incidents under the Armistice Agreement, which aims to prevent hostilities on the Korean Peninsula.