South Korean and United Nations officials have concluded their investigation into landmines detonated in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last month, determining that the explosives were secretly planted by North Korea since last year.
Foreign news agencies reported on Monday, 5 Oct 2026 GMT+7, that investigators from the South Korean military and the United Nations Command have concluded that the two antipersonnel landmines that exploded last month within the DMZ, injuring three South Korean soldiers, were planted by North Korea crossing the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) since the previous year.
South Korea’s National Forensic Service found traces of TNT and heat-resistant resin matching the plastic antipersonnel landmines produced by North Korea. Additionally, recovered fragments corresponded with previously defused North Korean mines. Officials also discovered a third unexploded landmine nearby.
“From the first and second rounds of testing, TNT, brown foreign substances, and heat-resistant resin components were detected, confirming that these are North Korean-manufactured plastic antipersonnel landmines,” said Kwon Tae-won, Deputy Chairman of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a press conference.
“Forensic analysis again confirmed that the fragments found this time are identical to North Korean antipersonnel mines previously recovered.”
The South Korean military stated that such actions clearly violate the armistice agreement and demanded North Korea issue a sincere apology and remove all buried landmines. Meanwhile, South Korea will continue to defuse mines on its side of the Military Demarcation Line.
North Korea denied involvement with the landmines. Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, criticized and rejected South Korea’s demand for an apology as “disgusting.”
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Source:cna