The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the United Nations Command (UNC) announced today (September 27) that they have reached the immediate vicinity of the suspected blast site during an on-site investigation into a recent suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

This comes six days after the incident occurred on September 21.

In a press notice today, the JCS stated, "Operating mine detectors and other equipment at the forefront alongside UNC personnel, our military conducted precise mine searches along maneuvering routes within the DMZ and carried out further route expansions from around 9:00 a.m. until sunset."

An investigation team of about 40 personnel was deployed to the site today, including South Korean military operational forces, officials such as the Secretary of the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission, and personnel from investigative agencies.

Some of the officers who had been carrying out the operation on September 21 also took part.

The JCS plans to conduct further investigations going forward.

The JCS explained, "Because the investigation area is an unidentified minefield within the DMZ with high hazards, and the participating personnel faced severe fatigue, we prioritized safety and decided to conclude today's operation and resume it at a later date."

It added, "We will thoroughly determine the cause of the accident and other details through additional on-site investigations," adding, "We will provide objective and transparent explanations regarding confirmed facts."