Unification minister says response to DMZ blast should not derail peace efforts

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has stated that the country's reaction to the recent North Korean land mine explosion within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) should not jeopardize peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula. On Tuesday, while in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Chung detailed the government's commitment to conducting a comprehensive investigation and truth-seeking process regarding the Sept.

21 DMZ blast, caused by mines planted by North Korea. However, he emphasized that these responses should not be utilized as justification to undermine or misrepresent the nation's peace-building efforts on the Korean Peninsula. He further suggested that the focus should be on understanding the underlying reasons for the recurring tragic event and seeking more fundamental solutions.

Reflecting on his trip to Northern Ireland, Chung reaffirmed his dedication to ending the prolonged war on the Korean Peninsula and establishing a lasting peace regime. The minister concluded his European visit early after a military probe concluded that North Korea was responsible for the land mine explosion inside the DMZ, which injured three South Korean soldiers earlier in the week.