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

South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has stated that the country's response to the recent North Korean land mine explosion within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) should not disrupt peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula. Addressing this incident via a Facebook post from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Chung called for a comprehensive investigation and truth-seeking into the September 21 DMZ blast, which was caused by mines planted by North Korea.

He emphasized that these responses should not be used as a reason to undermine or misrepresent South Korea's peace-building efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

Chung further expressed the need to introspect the reasons behind the recurring nature of such tragic events and seek more fundamental solutions. Reflecting on his recent trip to Northern Ireland, a region that has transformed its past tragedies into today's hope, Chung reaffirmed his commitment to ending the long-standing war on the Korean Peninsula and establishing a lasting peace regime.

Upon his return to South Korea, he abruptly wrapped up his European journey following a military investigation that concluded North Korea was responsible for the land mine explosion inside the DMZ, which injured three South Korean soldiers.