North Korea Denies Planting DMZ Mines Amid Border Buildup

The Government of North Korea sent a letter to the UN Security Council accusing South Korea of fabricating a September 21 landmine incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured South Korean soldiers. Pyongyang claims the incident was a sinister attempt to obstruct its border fortification work, which it describes as a legitimate exercise of sovereignty. North Korea further accused the South Korean military of violating the UN Charter by firing warning shots at its personnel.

This response follows a submission to the Security Council by South Korean Ambassador Cha Ji-hoon, who stated that an investigation linked the blast to mines planted by North Korean troops in violation of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The UN Command supported this claim, confirming the mine violated the armistice. South Korea has urged an apology and proposed military talks to reduce the risk of accidental clashes.

Simultaneously, South Korean observers in Gimpo spotted a North Korean 122-mm self-propelled howitzer and armored vehicles positioned near the border. Soldiers were also observed conducting drills and fencing work in Kaepung County. The South Korean Unification Ministry characterized the North's letter as a repetition of existing positions used to justify border construction, while Pyongyang warned that violations of its sovereignty could trigger self-defence measures.