South Korea's military said on Monday that a joint investigation with the United Nations Command has concluded that North Korea planted the landmines that exploded inside the Demilitarized Zone last month, injuring three South Korean soldiers. The North immediately rejected the accusation, setting up a fresh confrontation along the world's most heavily fortified border.
The final findings were presented at a briefing in Seoul by Lt. Gen. Kwon Dae-won, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Two landmines detonated in the western sector of the DMZ on September 21, seriously wounding two of the soldiers, according to the military's account. A third unexploded mine was later found near the blast site.
Forensic evidence points to Pyongyang
Investigators said the conclusion rested on forensic analysis by South Korea's National Forensic Service. Testing detected TNT, thermosetting resin and other materials identifying the devices as North Korean-made plastic anti-personnel mines, and blast fragments matched previously recovered North Korean landmines. The mines were assessed to have been planted about a year ago, south of the Military Demarcation Line that bisects the 4-km-wide DMZ.
South Korea and the UN Command determined that the planting constituted a violation of the 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement. The two Koreas technically remain at war, since the conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Seoul demands apology, begins clearance
General Kwon urged North Korea to offer a sincere apology to the wounded soldiers and to remove the mines immediately. South Korea's army began clearance operations in the area on Monday and said it would continue removing North Korean mines south of the demarcation line if Pyongyang does not clear them voluntarily. The military also noted that the North has been fortifying its side of the border since April 2024, deploying up to 7,000 workers this year to install mines and fences, alongside some 50 border-crossing incidents.
Pyongyang rejects accusation
North Korea dismissed the findings. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said last Friday that Seoul's accusation was "groundless" and rejected its demand for an apology. Pyongyang has consistently denied that its troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line, even as Seoul says joint on-site probes showed otherwise.
The dispute adds fresh strain to ties already at a low point, with the North having defined the South as a "hostile" state and ignored Seoul's offers of dialogue, including a proposal by the administration of President Lee Jae Myung for talks to ease tensions.
Sources:
- Reuters: South Korea says border mine blast was caused by North Korea
- Channel News Asia: South Korean probe concludes Pyongyang planted DMZ mines
The final findings were presented at a briefing in Seoul by Lt. Gen. Kwon Dae-won, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Two landmines detonated in the western sector of the DMZ on September 21, seriously wounding two of the soldiers, according to the military's account. A third unexploded mine was later found near the blast site.
Forensic evidence points to Pyongyang
Investigators said the conclusion rested on forensic analysis by South Korea's National Forensic Service. Testing detected TNT, thermosetting resin and other materials identifying the devices as North Korean-made plastic anti-personnel mines, and blast fragments matched previously recovered North Korean landmines. The mines were assessed to have been planted about a year ago, south of the Military Demarcation Line that bisects the 4-km-wide DMZ.
South Korea and the UN Command determined that the planting constituted a violation of the 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement. The two Koreas technically remain at war, since the conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Seoul demands apology, begins clearance
General Kwon urged North Korea to offer a sincere apology to the wounded soldiers and to remove the mines immediately. South Korea's army began clearance operations in the area on Monday and said it would continue removing North Korean mines south of the demarcation line if Pyongyang does not clear them voluntarily. The military also noted that the North has been fortifying its side of the border since April 2024, deploying up to 7,000 workers this year to install mines and fences, alongside some 50 border-crossing incidents.
Pyongyang rejects accusation
North Korea dismissed the findings. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said last Friday that Seoul's accusation was "groundless" and rejected its demand for an apology. Pyongyang has consistently denied that its troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line, even as Seoul says joint on-site probes showed otherwise.
The dispute adds fresh strain to ties already at a low point, with the North having defined the South as a "hostile" state and ignored Seoul's offers of dialogue, including a proposal by the administration of President Lee Jae Myung for talks to ease tensions.
Sources:
- Reuters: South Korea says border mine blast was caused by North Korea
- Channel News Asia: South Korean probe concludes Pyongyang planted DMZ mines
