Questions remain over when NK mines were planted in DMZ

Over a week after two land mines detonated in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), causing injury to three South Korean soldiers, investigators are piecing together details about the incident, although uncertainties persist regarding the timing and purpose behind the mines' placement. The United Nations Command announced on Wednesday that an active North Korean anti-personnel mine was discovered south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) during a joint investigation into the September 21 DMZ explosions.

This discovery confirmed that a violation of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement had taken place. South Korean military officials suspect the mines were buried rather than carried into the area by water but have yet to ascertain when they were planted or if they were aimed at South Korean troops.

The intact mine recovered during the investigation was identified as a North Korean resin anti-personnel mine, a box-shaped device akin to the North’s wooden-box mine but constructed from plastic. This particular type of mine has been utilized by North Korea since 1969. Forensic examination of the injured soldiers' helmets and body armor revealed traces of TNT and foreign brown material, but no additional clues to the mines' origins or intent.