South Korea condemned North Korea after soldiers were injured by landmine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Meanwhile, the United Nations confirmed the incident constitutes a violation of the armistice agreement. Pyongyang denied the allegations, accusing Seoul of fabricating the story.
The South Korean military issued a statement condemning North Korea following two landmine explosions in the DMZ on 21 September, which injured three South Korean soldiers. South Korea indicated the landmines were highly likely placed by North Korea near the military demarcation line.
Kang Hyun-woo, an official from South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that North Korea continues its so-called border fortification activities, including laying landmines near the military demarcation line. He called on North Korea to halt activities that could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to apologize for the explosions.
A joint investigation team from the South Korean military and the United Nations Command found another North Korean landmine at the site on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the United Nations Command stated that the investigation concluded the incident violated the armistice agreement and will proceed through the mechanisms stipulated in that agreement.
The armistice agreement ended hostilities in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The DMZ is a buffer zone heavily fortified with troops and landmines between North and South Korea.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said that if investigations fully confirm the landmines were laid by North Korean forces, Seoul will consider appropriate retaliatory measures.
However, North Korea recently denied laying the landmines, accusing South Korea of distorting facts or fabricating evidence to blame Pyongyang. It warned it would respond if South Korean soldiers initiate gunfire against North Korean forces.
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