(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Sept. 28)

The government is being questioned for its delayed response in investigating a mine blast incident near the DMZ which injured three South Korean soldiers on September 21. The soldiers were clearing a search route when they encountered a land mine explosion, two of them suffering serious injuries. Despite the severity of the incident, the first on-site investigation did not occur until the following Sunday, nearly a week later.

The military cited safety concerns due to the proximity of the blast to the military demarcation line as the reason for the delay. However, this explanation is not deemed sufficient. The incident is considered a serious security matter requiring immediate investigation to determine the origin of the mine, whether planted by North Korean troops or washed down from the North.

The delay in investigation period, during which the Chuseok holiday and rain occurred, could have led to loss or damage of evidence. The military, on the other hand, claims that the conditions differed from a previous incident in 2015 where evidence was collected promptly and the cause of the explosion was attributed to North Korean mines by the United Nations Command within six days.

The military's explanation has raised more questions and the government's response, or lack thereof, has only fueled suspicion. The ruling Democratic Party lawmaker and former National Intelligence Service director criticized the government, accusing it of hiding behind bureaucracy and failing to act proactively. Accountability should be ensured, and the truth established if the mine was indeed caused by North Korea.

If the South Korean military's response was flawed, those responsible must be held accountable. The government's responsibility isn't to dodge political attacks but to uncover the truth and accept responsibility.