North Korea warns of stronger action toward South Korea over mine blast accusations

Seoul: North Korea's Foreign Ministry vehemently denied South Korea's accusation that planted a landmine in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), warning of an "immediate and powerful counteraction" if the territory is violated. This came after South Korea, backed by the United Nations Command and scientific analysis, reported that two of its soldiers were seriously injured by an anti-personnel mine allegedly planted by North Korea on September 21.

The North dismissed the South's investigation as a "premeditated farce" designed to link it to the incident and justify retaliatory actions. The ministry labeled the findings a "grave provocation" of its sovereignty, vowing to assert its border security in a more "resolute and bold manner." The Foreign Ministry emphasized that any transgression of North Korean territory would result in a swift and forceful response.

Seoul has stated that it would not cooperate with North Korea's mine removal operations, threatening that responsibility would solely lie with South Korea if another incident occurred. Pyongyang has deployed up to 7,000 workers in recent years to erect mines and barriers along the border, fortified since 2024. South Korea's military has demanded an apology from North Korea and the removal of mines allegedly placed in violation of the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, echoed the denial of Seoul's demand for an apology on Friday. Both Koreas remain technically in a state of war due to the armistice and not a peace treaty. North Korea has ignored South Korean calls for dialogue since labeling the South as a "hostile" state in 2023.