(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Sept. 30)

The Korea JoongAng Daily editorial on September 30 examines the circumstances surrounding the land mine explosions that injured three Korean soldiers in the western demilitarized zone (DMZ). The Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that North Korean mines are highly likely responsible, and investigators found another suspected North Korean plastic antipersonnel mine near the blast site.

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul called the incident a clear violation of the armistice, but President Lee Jae Myung's first public remarks on the case eight days later did not mention North Korea or an armistice violation, only referring to it as a "land mine accident" and warning against conspiracy theories. The editorial argues that the public deserves facts about the incident, why it was not prevented, and who bears responsibility.

It also questions the Korean military's response to North Korea's recent military activity and mine-laying, suggesting that their inadequate response may have contributed to the incident.

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