North Korea rejects South’s accusation over DMZ mine blast, KCNA says

North Korea has firmly rejected South Korea's accusations that its mines caused a mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with a statement from KCNA. Kim Yo Jong, a high-ranking official in North Korea's ruling Workers' Party and the sister of Kim Jong Un, dismissed Seoul's demand for an apology, calling it "despicable." The North's denial comes after South Korea accused Pyongyang of deliberately planting mines in the border zone, demanding an apology and halting border fortification work.

The incident, which occurred on September 21, saw two South Korean soldiers seriously wounded by a mine while on a reconnaissance mission. The UN Command overseeing the Korean War armistice has also deemed the incident a violation of the agreement. North Korea has recently intensified its hostility towards South Korea, renouncing unification as a national goal and labeling South Korea its "primary foe."