Additional Landmine Found: "North Korean Troops Planted Mines South of MDL"

[Anchor]

An additional North Korean landmine has been discovered at the site of a landmine explosion on the western front. A total of four landmines have now been identified, including the two that exploded, and they were planted close to one another. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul stated it is certain that North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and planted the mines.

Choi Jae-yeong reports in our first story.

[Reporter]

This is the North Korean landmine discovered around 10 a.m. today, September 29, during the third on-site investigation at the scene of the landmine explosion.

It is a brown, square box-shaped North Korean resin anti-personnel mine—a plastic anti-personnel mine.

[Yang Jin-hyuk / Director of Operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff: A North Korean resin anti-personnel mine was identified approximately 1 meter directly behind where the crater was formed at the second explosion site.]

With the two mines that exploded, one confirmed through soldiers' testimonies, and the one discovered today, the military has confirmed a total of four mines at the scene of the incident.

[Cheon Ha-ram / Lawmaker, Reform Party: The interim assessment was that it was highly likely a North Korean mine, but can we now be certain it is a North Korean mine?]

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: Yes, that is correct.]

The military is particularly weighing the possibility that these were recently planted mines rather than ones washed away and displaced, given that the four mines were identified at intervals of 1 to 2 meters.

Since April 2024, North Korea has engaged in so-called "border fortification" efforts by laying landmines and clearing desolate wasteland throughout the Demilitarized Zone, and the military assesses it is highly likely a minefield laid during that period.

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: It appears to have been planted as part of the border fortification in front of the MDL.]

However, the military maintains a cautious stance regarding the exact timing of when they were laid.

The military explained that while grass roots were found over the discovered mine, leading to the assessment that it was planted more than a year ago, further investigation is needed to determine the exact timing of when the detonated mines and others were planted.

Minister Kang also stated that beyond the 25th Infantry Division area on the western front where this incident occurred, there are multiple locations where North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line to plant landmines.

[Sung Il-jong / Lawmaker, People Power Party: Across the entire Armistice Line, roughly how many locations do you currently assess where North Korean provocations took place?]

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: I would say several locations.]

Regarding the differing severity of injuries among the wounded, the military also stated it is investigating whether the battalion commander may have briefly removed and put back on his mine-protective overboots during the withdrawal process.

(Camera: Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing: Won Hyeong-hee | Design: Kim Han-gil)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.