Army Officer Found Dead in 25th Division Just Two Days After DMZ Explosion

An Army officer assigned to the same division where a suspected landmine explosion recently occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has been found dead, prompting a military investigation.

According to military authorities on September 23, Captain A, who served at the headquarters of the Army's 25th Division, was found dead in his quarters yesterday morning (September 22).

It was reported that unit members went to check on Captain A after he failed to report for work, discovering him dead inside his room.

No signs of forced entry or criminal foul play have been found so far, according to reports.

Captain A was responsible for duties related to military operation planning at the division headquarters and reportedly had no direct connection to the DMZ search operation where the recent suspected landmine explosion took place.

He finished his duty shift on the morning of September 21, returned to his quarters, but then headed back to the base after being notified of the DMZ explosion situation.

He was subsequently confirmed to have returned to his quarters two hours later.

Military authorities and the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency are currently investigating the exact circumstances and cause of Captain A's death.

Meanwhile, at around 10:50 a.m. on September 21, a suspected landmine explosion occurred while a frontline unit of the Army's 25th Division was carrying out a "search route clearance operation" within the DMZ on the Western Front near Paju and Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province.

The accident left three officers injured, including one who suffered a severed ankle.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the landmine was planted by North Korean forces or the South Korean military. Possibilities being raised include the detonation of an unknown landmine during the DMZ search route clearance operation, as well as the explosion of a mine washed down by heavy rain from North Korean territory.

(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Hong Jinyoung | Graphics by Yang Hyemin | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.