Defense Minister Vows Measures if DMZ Blast Linked to North Korean Mines

On September 28, South Korea's Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul stated that the government would take 'appropriate, substantial, and corresponding' measures if it is confirmed that the recent explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was caused by North Korean land mines.

The incident, which occurred last Monday, resulted in severe injuries to two South Korean soldiers and involved two separate blasts. Minister Kang made these remarks following a meeting with Jang Dong-hyeok, the leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), at the National Assembly.

Kang addressed reporters' inquiries regarding the government's response to the explosion, emphasizing the ongoing investigation into the nature of the explosive device. He noted that while some soldiers reported seeing a North Korean wooden-box land mine, there are conflicting statements regarding the type of mine involved.

The minister reassured the public that the military has no intention of covering up the incident, stating, 'There was absolutely no intentional delay or cover-up.' He pledged transparency in the investigation process and promised to provide detailed explanations once the facts are clarified.

In response to the political tensions surrounding the incident, the parliamentary national defense committee has scheduled a session to question relevant officials. The ruling Democratic Party and the opposition PPP have been at odds over the handling of the situation, with both parties proposing different approaches to address the issue.