Questions remain over when NK mines were planted in DMZ

More than a week has passed since two land mines detonated in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), causing injuries to three South Korean soldiers. While investigators are gaining a better understanding of the cause of the blasts, questions persist regarding when and why the mines were planted. The United Nations Command announced on Wednesday that an active North Korean anti-personnel mine was discovered south of the Military Demarcation Line during a joint investigation into the September 21 DMZ explosions. This discovery confirmed a violation of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.

South Korea's military suspects that the mines were deliberately buried rather than deposited by natural forces, but the exact timing of their planting and whether they were aimed at South Korean troops remains uncertain. During the investigation, the intact mine recovered was identified as a North Korean resin anti-personnel mine, a box-shaped device similar to the North's wooden-box mine but constructed from plastic. North Korea has been known to use this type of mine since 1969.

Forensic analysis of the helmets and body armor of the injured soldiers revealed the presence of TNT and foreign brown material, but no definitive evidence has been provided to confirm the exact circumstances surrounding the mines' placement.