[Anchor]
South and North Korea engaged in an unyielding war of words at the United Nations over the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone. While South Korea's UN mission demanded a public apology and responsible measures from the North, North Korea consistently denied involvement.
Reporting from New York, this is Kim Hyunwoo.
[Reporter]
Taking the floor during the UN General Assembly general debate on October 8 (local time), Ambassador to the UN Cha Ji-hoon unleashed pointed remarks targeting North Korea.
He criticized that landmines intentionally laid by North Korean troops recently exploded, injuring three soldiers, and called it a violation of the armistice agreement.
[Cha Ji-hoon / Ambassador to the UN : This is a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement. We urge North Korea to halt acts that escalate tensions and take responsible measures, including a public apology.]
After Ambassador Cha's speech, North Korea exercised its right of reply and launched a counterargument based on far-fetched claims.
It criticized South Korea's assertions as a clumsy ploy to shift the blame onto the North.
[North Korean UN Representative : We cannot help but state that this is an impure obstructionist maneuver aimed at branding the fortification of our southern border, which is a legitimate exercise of sovereignty, as a military aggression.]
In particular, North Korea brought up Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who stated during a parliamentary audit two days prior that the landmine explosion could not yet be definitively specified as a North Korean attack.
[North Korean UN Representative : South Korean official Chung Dong-young (Minister of Unification) also admitted it was difficult. I repeat once again: he stated that it is difficult to judge the landmine explosion as an intentional attack by North Korea.]
Our mission countered once again, stating that it is evident North Korea intentionally laid the landmines.
[Ahn Ji-in / Counselor at the South Korean Mission to the UN : The investigation concluded that the landmines were deliberately planted by North Korean troops south of the Military Demarcation Line. North Korea must admit its responsibility and come forward for dialogue to prevent any further escalation of tensions.]
However, North Korea referred to South Korea as a hostile state, refused inter-Korean dialogue by stating that it would exercise its sovereignty more boldly to guarantee security in its southern border areas, and asserted that military sovereignty issues are never up for discussion.
(Video reporting: Lee Hee-hoon, Video editing: Wi Won-yang)
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