Testimony Emerges of Another Unexploded Mine at Blast Site: Could It Be the 'Smoking Gun'?

It has been reported that troops present during a suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the western front on September 21 testified that they witnessed an additional unexploded mine at the scene.

During the military authorities' investigation, statements were reportedly made indicating that, in addition to the mines presumed to have detonated twice at the time of the incident, one unexploded mine was present at the site.

Whether this mine can be recovered during the on-site investigation is expected to be a crucial factor in securing key evidence.

When asked about the matter on his way to work, Defense Minister Kang shin-chul said, "There are several testimonies making it difficult to specify the mine," adding, "We will explain it to the public after verifying that part accurately through the on-site investigation."

The South Korean military and the United Nations Command launched an on-site investigation yesterday, September 27, six days after the incident, but were only able to approach the vicinity of the suspected blast site as clearing an access route took time.

The military concluded the operation yesterday at sunset and decided to resume it later, with additional on-site investigations expected to follow.

Once reaching the suspected blast site, the military is expected to also attempt to recover fragments of the mine that detonated during the incident.

The military has also requested the National Forensic Service to conduct a component analysis on the gear worn by the injured at the time of the incident, gauze used to collect gunpowder residue, and fragments removed during surgery.

Preliminary examination results are expected to be released soon.

Inside and outside the military, an atmosphere is also emerging where, taking various circumstances into account, greater weight is being placed on the possibility that the explosive device was a North Korean mine rather than a South Korean one.

Considering that the incident area is not a zone where M14 and M16 anti-personnel mines used by the South Korean military are planted, along with the severity of the casualties' injuries and the comparative explosive power of South Korean and North Korean mines, the possibility of a North Korean mine is seen as relatively high.

If it was indeed a North Korean mine, deliberately planting it across the Military Demarcation Line would constitute a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement, making it a critical issue to determine whether the mine was washed down along nearby streams or planted directly by North Korean troops.

(Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by IYOO Jin | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.