North and South Korea trade accusations over landmines that injured three soldiers
A mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers has renewed scrutiny of North Korea's actions along the border and raised questions about its strategic goals.
Pyongyang and Seoul are clashing over accusations following a landmine incident that injured three South Korean soldiers near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21. This latest tension may reflect North Korea's attempt to test South Korea's resolve and extend its control to the DMZ, an area effectively a no-man's land for over 70 years, according to a professor of foreign policy at South Korea's Kyung Hee University.
The North revised its constitution in March to define its absolute geographical limits, including within the DMZ, and aims to push the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) further south, said Choo. The professor believes the placement of landmines on the South's side of the line is a political act to threaten and intimidate the South.
The incident occurred when the patrol, clearing a new route through the DMZ, came within 10 meters of the MDL. The mine was of North Korean origin, according to the South Korean military's investigation. Seoul has demanded an apology and an end to border fortification activities, which North Korea denies, accusing Seoul of staging a provocation and threatening retaliation.
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