New York:The United Nations has made public a letter from South Korea addressed to the president of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC), condemning land mine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that occurred in September. These blasts resulted in injuries to three South Korean soldiers, leading South Korea to demand an apology from North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean Ambassador to the U.N., Cha Ji-hoon, sent the letter on October 22. The letter defended South Korea's border operations within the DMZ, including the use of warning shots, as "legitimate" and "defensive" actions aimed at preventing North Korean troops from crossing the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).

Cha Ji-hoon highlighted that the intention of the letter was to draw the UNSC's attention to the events of September 21. However, he did not call for the council to hold a meeting or issue a statement regarding the incident. North Korea has denied any involvement in the explosions.

The letter from South Korea strongly urges North Korea to cease such aggressive actions, apologize, and take responsibility by removing mines that violate the Armistice Agreement. The letter also calls for dialogue to prevent further escalation and to restore trust on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea's military investigation, conducted jointly with the U.N. Command, concluded that the explosions were caused by anti-personnel mines intentionally planted by North Korean forces south of the MDL. Cha emphasized that this conclusion ruled out accidental displacement as a cause.

In his communication, Cha also justified South Korea's warning broadcasts and shots along the MDL as necessary defensive measures to prevent North Korean troops from crossing the MDL and to ensure their withdrawal if they do. In response, Pyongyang has labeled these actions as "provocative."

Observers noted that South Korea might have avoided pressing the UNSC for a statement due to potential opposition from Russia and China, permanent council members with historical ties to North Korea.

Source Yonhap News Agency