(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Oct. 2)

Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, claimed that South Korea fabricated the incident, but it was North Korea that violated the 1950-53 Korean War Armistice Agreement by planting mines in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). President Lee Jae Myung described the mine blast as an unfortunate accident during an Armed Forces Day ceremony, but this view conflicts with military findings and the Joint Chiefs of Staff's demand for North Korea to cease provocative activities.

The commander-in-chief's description of the incident as a provocative act, rather than an accident, highlights the intent behind placing mines within the DMZ. North Korea's actions have already caused harm and pose a threat to military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It is questionable whether South Koreans will support a strategy where Seoul alone addresses tensions while North Korea continues its provocative actions.