Seoul:Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul announced that "appropriate, substantial and corresponding" measures will be implemented if it is confirmed that a recent explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was caused by North Korean land mines.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang's statement came after a meeting with Jang Dong-hyeok, the leader of the main opposition People Power Party, at the National Assembly. The minister was responding to questions about the government's potential actions if the explosion, which severely injured two South Korean soldiers last Monday, is confirmed to have been caused by North Korean mines. The incident involved two separate blasts south of the Military Demarcation Line within the DMZ.

Kang addressed reports suggesting soldiers had spotted a North Korean wooden-box land mine near the explosion site, clarifying that there are also claims indicating it was not such a device. He noted the difficulty in identifying the exact nature of the explosive device but assured that an on-site investigation is ongoing, and the findings will be communicated transparently to the public.

Responding to opposition criticisms of a potential government cover-up, Kang emphasized that the military has no intention of concealing information and is committed to handling the situation with transparency. "I want to reiterate that there was absolutely no intentional delay or cover-up," he stated.