Seoul:North Korea denied South Korea's claim that a North Korean land mine likely caused a recent explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), warning of "immediate and merciless" retaliation if its troops are fired upon. This comes after an announcement from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) that linked North Korean mines to the September 21 blast, which injured three South Korean soldiers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, criticized the South Korean military's findings as fabricated and provocations against North Korea. She described the South's actions as groundless and warned of retaliatory measures by the North if their soldiers are threatened.
Kim stated that North Korea has been constructing barriers in southern border areas, asserting that these activities are exercises of sovereignty, unrelated to military objectives. She accused the South Korean military of making threats through broadcasts and warning shots, and declared that any aggressive acts would prompt a swift counterattack from North Korean forces.
North Korea has reportedly increased its military presence along the DMZ, and Kim warned that measures have been taken to enhance tactical counterattacks near South Korea's 21st Infantry Division. This division is on the eastern front, though the mine blast occurred on the western front, where North Korean troop crossings have been more frequent.
The statement follows South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul's warning that Seoul would respond correspondingly if the blast is confirmed to be North Korea's doing. Since April 2024, North Korea has fortified the border, planting mines and erecting barriers, following a declaration by its leader Kim that inter-Korean relations are now hostile.
The U.N. Command overseeing the border deemed the mine explosion a violation of the Armistice Agreement from the Korean War, while the JCS called on North Korea to apologize and take responsibility for the incident.