Seoul:North Korean land mines are believed to be the cause of a recent explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), according to South Korea's military. The military has pledged to hold Pyongyang fully accountable and take appropriate measures if these findings are confirmed.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the preliminary findings were announced following a joint investigation with the U.N. Command (UNC), after revisiting the explosion site inside the DMZ. This blast resulted in two South Korean soldiers suffering severe injuries and another soldier sustaining minor injuries.
The investigation has focused on whether the mines belonged to North Korea, amid speculation that the mines were illegally planted by North Korean troops. Forensic analysis of fragments and residue from the scene detected traces of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and brown synthetic material, consistent with North Korean antipersonnel land mines, as stated by Lt. Gen. Kwon Dae-won at a press briefing. The evidence, including the blast crater, flame patterns, and injuries, strongly indicates the involvement of North Korean land mines.
Lt. Gen. Kwon emphasized that if the investigation confirms North Korean forces laid these mines, it would constitute a clear attack, injuring soldiers who were performing lawful DMZ operations. He asserted that North Korea would be wholly accountable, and South Korea's military would respond suitably.
The explosion occurred approximately 10 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and near an area suspected of containing North Korean mines. Soldiers reported spotting an unexploded land mine while retreating from the site, suggesting a total of three mines, including the two detonated.
The incident took place during an operation to clear a path for a joint inspection with the UNC, aimed at verifying suspicions of illegal mine-planting by Pyongyang. These suspicions arose from observed changes in terrain near the MDL. The military conducted a second investigation operation on Monday to gather more evidence, following an initial unsuccessful attempt due to fading daylight and other limitations.
The South Korean military plans to disclose the final results of the joint investigation with the UNC in the future.