Sanaa:South Korea's top military commander has described the recent mine blast near the inter-Korean border as a "provocation" by North Korea and vowed to review the military's response measures.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung made these remarks amid criticism from some opposition lawmakers over the military's initial reluctance to label the September 21 blast as a provocation by the North. During a parliamentary audit, Jin emphasized there was never a moment he considered the incident as anything but a provocation, especially as the explosion resulted in serious injuries to South Korean soldiers.

The JCS, after a joint investigation with the U.N. Command, confirmed that the blast was caused by resin antipersonnel mines deliberately planted by Pyongyang south of the Military Demarcation Line. The explosion injured three South Korean soldiers, two of them seriously.

Gen. Jin highlighted the significance of the mine-removal operation conducted by South Korean troops at the blast site, viewing it as a strong expression of the military's resolve. He noted the importance of eliminating threats that caused harm to their comrades and praised the operation's success in demonstrating the military's determination.

The South Korean military commenced an operation on Monday to clear remaining land mines planted by North Korea in the buffer zone, marking the first such mission in the area. Jin stated he would continue to review necessary response measures but did not provide specific details.

Regarding intelligence sharing with the U.S., Jin assured that partial restrictions have not impacted the military's readiness regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. However, he expressed the need for a swift resolution to fully restore information sharing.

The restrictions were a response to South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young revealing details about North Korea's nuclear facilities, including a uranium enrichment site in the Kusong region, during a parliamentary session.

In response to the mine blast, the South Korean military has committed to enhancing its readiness to deter further provocations by North Korea. This includes strengthening capabilities in the Demilitarized Zone, minimizing surveillance blind spots, and transitioning surveillance systems to advanced technology-driven solutions.