"Will You Wait Until After the Holiday to Fight Even if War Breaks Out?"... Backlash Over Post-Chuseok Site Inspection

Military authorities are investigating to determine the cause of a landmine explosion that occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the western front.

They have sent evidence, including protective suits and mine overboots worn by soldiers at the time of the incident, to the National Forensic Service for appraisal.

Preliminary examination results are expected to be released around next week.

Plans are also underway for a joint investigation team, including the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission, to conduct an on-site inspection.

Criticism has poured in from the opposition over the fact that an on-site inspection was not conducted immediately following the incident.

People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok wrote on social media, questioning whether the military is giving North Korean troops time to destroy evidence, and noting that during the 2015 wooden box mine incident, evidence was collected on the day of the incident and a joint on-site inspection with the United Nations Command was carried out two days later.

He added that if the South Korean military intentionally delayed the on-site inspection, it constitutes a clear act of aiding the enemy, and if this was ordered by the president, there could be no clearer grounds for impeachment.

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon also posted a series of messages on social media calling for an immediate on-site investigation.

Han argued that the incident site is in a blind spot of South Korean military surveillance equipment, raising concerns that if the investigation is delayed, evidence could be washed away by rain or damaged if North Korean forces approach.

He criticized, asking, "Even if war breaks out during the holiday, will you take the holiday off and fight after it is over?"

Reported by An Hyemin | Video by Jeong Yong-hui | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.