(LEAD) Land mine explodes at DMZ during military operation over suspected N. Korean minefield: JCS

On September 22, South Korea's military reported that a suspected land mine detonated during a route clearance operation in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The explosion occurred on Monday, leaving three military officers injured, with one sustaining a severe ankle injury.

The JCS stated the blast took place during a mission to clear a path for an upcoming United Nations Command (UNC) inspection. South Korea had previously identified terrain changes in areas south of the DMZ and was consulting with the UNC on the possibility that North Korean forces may have planted the land mine. The site of the explosion lay close to the MDL, and military authorities plan to conduct a thorough on-site inspection, once safety is ensured, in coordination with the UNC.

A dozen troops were performing the mission with mine detectors when the explosion occurred. The military is investigating the cause of the blast, considering all possibilities, including the potential involvement of North Korean troops. North Korea has been reinforcing its border since April 2024 by erecting barbed wire fences, planting mines, and installing anti-tank barriers along the MDL, following President Kim Jong-un's declaration in late 2023 that the relationship between the two Koreas is that of two hostile states.

Recently, North Korean troops have increased their crossings of the heavily fortified DMZ, with over 20 border crossings reported in a single month last October, surpassing the 17 crossings recorded for all of 2025. The two officers who suffered severe injuries were wearing protective gear and demining equipment at the time of the incident.

They have since undergone surgery and are currently in stable condition. U.S. Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson expressed deep sympathies to the injured soldiers and their families, wishing them a swift and complete recovery. He also affirmed the ROK-U.S. Alliance's support for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and their dedication to securing the DMZ and defending the Korean Peninsula.