S. Korean military, U.N. Command conduct joint survey on DMZ blast site ahead of probe: JCS

South Korea's military conducted a joint survey with the United Nations Command (UNC) on Saturday at the site of a suspected mine blast inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), ahead of an on-site investigation. The military and UNC planned to carry out the joint survey to secure an access route for the investigation. The blast, which occurred on Monday, severely injured a battalion commander and a staff sergeant of the 25th Infantry Division.

While there is speculation that North Korean land mines caused the blast, the South Korean military faces criticism from opposition lawmakers who accuse the government of dragging its feet on the investigation, in line with the Lee Jae Myung government's conciliatory policy toward Pyongyang. The JCS emphasized that the joint survey was part of efforts to assess the operational environment and ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the investigation.

The survey team included about 20 personnel from the JCS, UNC's Military Armistice Commission, and relevant investigative agencies. Some service members who were involved in the blast volunteered to participate in the survey. The JCS stated that it would conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and present the results to the public.