Cheong Wa Dae: "DMZ Landmine Blast Investigation Underway Swiftly and Thoroughly... No Cover-Up Possible"

Regarding the recent suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Cheong Wa Dae emphasized that the government's "investigation is proceeding objectively, swiftly, and thoroughly," adding that "there cannot be any cover-up."

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official made the remarks while meeting with reporters at the South Korean press center set up in Mexico City on September 24, local time, during President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Mexico, responding to criticism from the opposition party alleging delays in the government's investigation into the accident.

The senior official emphasized, "Because I am accompanying the overseas tour, I have only been briefed on basic facts and do not know every detail. I will speak based on what has been reported from Seoul," while stressing, "There are no grounds whatsoever for suspicion or doubt regarding the investigation."

The official continued, calling it "an unfortunate incident," and said, "We believe we must thoroughly investigate to first determine, if it was a landmine, what kind of mine it was, whether North Korea planted it, or if not, what actually occurred."

Explaining the background, the official said, "I am told the site where the incident occurred is not a safe place. In past instances when other mines went off, they occurred along regular reconnaissance routes that were routinely searched, so investigators could be dispatched immediately to conduct a prompt probe. However, this accident occurred in an area where a new route was being cleared, and because it is highly dangerous, we are approaching it with caution."

The official also stated, "We are conducting the investigation together with the United Nations Command," adding, "There is absolutely no hidden scheme, concealment, or cover-up whatsoever. Such claims are baseless."

The remarks drew a clear line against allegations of a 'cover-up' raised by some in the conservative opposition, who argue the government is intentionally delaying the probe into the blast site.

The senior Cheong Wa Dae official added, "If you wait a little, even though the investigation is dangerous, we will proceed swiftly taking that into account and deliver results to report."

Regarding Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul's earlier remarks that the military would "leave all possibilities open" concerning who planted the landmine, the official said, "We share the same view," adding, "We were briefed through that channel, and we do not possess additional information."

Earlier, around 10:50 a.m. on September 21, two suspected landmine explosions occurred in an area near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, under the jurisdiction of the Army's 25th Infantry Division, leaving two people seriously injured, including a South Korean army reconnaissance battalion commander, and one person lightly injured.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
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