South Korea and UN Command Probe DMZ Landmine Blast
The South Korean military and United Nations Command launched a joint investigation into a September 21 landmine explosion that injured three soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United Nations Command launched a joint investigation into a landmine explosion that occurred on September 21 in the western sector of the Demilitarized Zone. The blast injured three South Korean soldiers, including a battalion commander and a staff sergeant from the 25th Infantry Division, while they were clearing a patrol route.
Following an initial survey on September 26 to secure access routes, a team of approximately 40 personnel conducted an on-site investigation on September 27. Investigators used mine detectors to sweep the area and expanded existing passages, though some areas remained inaccessible due to unidentified mines. President Lee Jae Myung confirmed the explosion was caused by a landmine, and the military has requested the National Forensic Service to analyze protective equipment to determine if the device originated from North Korea, which reportedly resumed mine-laying in March.
The probe faced early criticism from opposition lawmakers, including Representative Han Dong-hoon, who alleged the military delayed the investigation to align with the government's conciliatory policy toward Pyongyang. The military denied these claims, stating delays were necessary for personnel safety. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has since pledged to disclose the investigation results objectively and transparently.
