Seoul:According to Yonhap News Agency, an undetonated land mine was reportedly spotted at the site of a recent explosion within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), based on initial statements from soldiers involved in the incident. The explosion occurred last Monday south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which divides the two Koreas. The blast resulted in severe injuries to two South Korean soldiers and minor injuries to a third.

The explosion involved two separate blasts, and there is suspicion that North Korean land mines might have been the cause. However, it is too early to confirm the presence of an additional land mine or its origin, as the military investigation team was unable to reach the blast site during a recent operation.

Retrieving the undetonated mine is considered vital for advancing the investigation. On Monday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported receiving testimonies from troops indicating that they saw a land mine resembling a North Korean wooden-box type near the explosion site. Brig. Gen. Hwang Ju-bong of the JCS mentioned that some testimonies described the object as similar in appearance to a wooden-box mine and possibly made of plastic, while another testimony suggested it might be a different type of mine.

A joint investigation by the South Korean military and the U.N. Command (UNC) began Sunday. Their aim was to collect debris and evidence from the blast site, but operations were halted at sunset after clearing a path near the location. The National Forensic Service is currently analyzing fragments and residues found on the soldiers' protective gear. The JCS is still awaiting the forensic results.

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul emphasized the challenge of identifying the exact type of land mines based on initial testimonies. He assured that details would be shared with the public following verification through on-site investigations.

Experts suspect that North Korean mines are more likely responsible for the explosion than South Korea's M14 or M16 antipersonnel mines, given the severity of the injuries and suspicions about North Korean troop activities in the area. If confirmed to be North Korean mines, it will be necessary to determine if they were displaced by rain or deliberately planted, the latter constituting a breach of the armistice agreement.

The explosion took place during an operation aimed at clearing a path for a joint inspection to verify allegations that North Korea illegally planted land mines in the DMZ, violating the armistice that ended the Korean War. Forensic authorities are expected to release initial findings soon.