Seoul says North Korean mines ‘highly suspected’ as cause of DMZ blast

Seoul's military has concluded that North Korean landmines are highly suspected to have caused a blast that injured three South Korean officers within the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) last week. The DMZ, a 248km long and 4km wide buffer zone dividing the Korean Peninsula since 1953, remains heavily fortified and littered with landmines despite being officially demilitarised.

The preliminary findings of a joint investigation with the UN Command suggested that recently planted mines were involved in the explosion, which occurred about 10 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line. The explosion resulted in severe injuries for the three service members, with one losing a foot. The landmines used in the blast displayed characteristics different from domestic ones, such as the absence of metal fragments, but had a smaller blast radius.

Should the investigation conclude that North Korea was responsible, Seoul's military would bear full responsibility and take appropriate measures.