(EDITORIAL from The Korea Times on Sept. 30)

A land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has exposed delays in response efforts and the need for strict adherence to the armistice agreement. North Korea has been suspected of strengthening its military infrastructure, including anti-tank barriers and wooden-box mines, along the DMZ. On September 21, three soldiers from the Republic of Korea Army's 25th Infantry Division were injured when twin mines detonated during a military survey.

Investigations began six days later, and the military and government were criticized for their delayed response. The Lee Jae Myung administration's stance of peaceful and phased engagement with North Korea has been questioned, as the incident warrants an apology from Pyongyang. The South Korean military and the United Nations Command (UNC) must thoroughly investigate the cause of the explosion and North Korea's recent actions.

The military should follow a similar protocol as in 2015, where evidence was promptly collected. Independent lawmaker Rep. Han Dong-hoon alleged that the military rejected the UNC's request for a prompt investigation, citing safety concerns and preparatory training. The South Korean government must provide a clear explanation of the context surrounding the mine blast to avoid skepticism and fuel further questions.