"Are There More Sites Suspected of North Korean Landmines?" "Several Locations"

[Anchor]

During today's (October 7) parliamentary audit of the Ministry of National Defense, a heated debate took place over the landmine explosion on the western front. Regarding the controversy over military service exemptions for Asian Games gold medalists, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul announced a plan for "gradual reduction and ultimate abolition."

Reporter Kim Jeongyun has the details.

[Reporter]

At the National Assembly Defense Committee's parliamentary audit, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul commented on North Korea issuing a Foreign Ministry statement yesterday (October 6), a day after the South Korean military announced its final investigation findings.

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: Regarding them issuing a statement about a day later, I assess that they, too, were likely quite flustered by our response....]

When asked whether there are more suspected sites where North Korean forces planted landmines south of the Military Demarcation Line beyond the 25th Division where the explosion occurred, Minister Kang answered, "Several locations," adding, "Following a joint investigation with the United Nations Command, we plan to continue taking necessary measures."

Ruling party lawmakers pointed out that North Korea's so-called "border fortification" efforts began in April 2024, but the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took no action at the time, which led to the recent situation.

In response, People Power Party lawmakers argued that North Korean troops had not crossed south of the Military Demarcation Line at that time, pressing the government not to misrepresent the cause of the landmine explosion and to take corresponding and resolute measures.

Regarding the military service exemption controversy sparked by the conduct and remarks of some national athletes at the Asian Games, Minister Kang said, "I find it deeply regrettable that the sacred duty of national defense is being disparaged," and added:

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: The Ministry of National Defense aims to gradually reduce military service exemptions and ultimately abolish them.]

At the parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Unification, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young warned that North Korea's so-called "border fortification" work raises concerns that the Armistice Agreement could be neutralized, stressing the need to address the situation in consultation with the United Nations Command.

(Camera by Kim Hyeon-sang | Video Editing by Lee Seung-hee)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.