The South Korean government announced that it is reviewing diplomatic measures, including actions through the United Nations, in response to a North Korean landmine explosion incident that occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

A senior Foreign Ministry official met with reporters today (October 2) and stated, "This landmine incident is very unfortunate, and it has served as an occasion to once again keenly recognize the importance of security," adding, "There was a similar landmine incident in 2015, and we are examining everything—past and present, and what can be done."

The official continued, stating that they are looking into response measures "realistically, including through the UN."

However, as the military authorities' investigation has not yet been finalized, the official explained that actual diplomatic responses will be decided after the final investigation findings are released.

"What has been announced so far is an interim finding, so we are awaiting the final announcement," the official said. "Once the final announcement is made, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to take various measures accordingly."

Regarding specific response plans, the official said, "Please refer to 2015," but drew a line by adding, "That does not mean we will do things exactly the same way. The situation is different."

In connection with this, another Foreign Ministry official noted that the government had sent a letter to the UN Security Council in 2015, explaining to the effect that "that step can be considered as an important measure."

During North Korea's wooden-box landmine provocation in 2015, the South Korean government sent a letter to the president of the UN Security Council in the name of the South Korean ambassador to the UN, reporting details of the incident and urging North Korea to refrain from further provocations.

Accordingly, diplomatic measures such as raising the issue at the UN Security Council level are likely to be considered for this incident as well based on the final investigation results.

However, the senior Foreign Ministry official repeatedly stressed that rather than merely repeating past measures, the government will review response plans "realistically," taking into account the current security situation and the international environment.

The senior Foreign Ministry official also answered a question regarding President Lee Jae-myung's recent remarks in an interview with U.S. media to the effect that halting North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development could be linked to easing sanctions against North Korea.

Regarding that initiative, the official said, "I think of it as creating a breakthrough that breaks the current stalemate," adding, "We also believe it can be considered as an option, and we are considering how to proceed at a working level."

The senior Foreign Ministry official explained that the president's remarks did not signify neutralizing or abandoning sanctions against North Korea.

"Under current circumstances, compared to the past, the effectiveness of sanctions has somewhat declined, and I believe he was stating the reality that achieving denuclearization through sanctions and pressure alone is difficult," the official said.

The official continued, "Sanctions themselves are not the goal, but can be used as a means of negotiation," explaining, "Ultimately, it means sanctions can be utilized in terms of drawing out meaningful denuclearization steps from North Korea."

When asked whether there is a policy difference between the term "nuclear-free Korean Peninsula" recently used by the government and the existing "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the official stated, "It is a rhetorical difference, and the substance is the same."

Regarding security negotiations between South Korea and the United States, the official also expressed an intention to resume consultations in earnest soon.

The senior official assessed that the frustration and dissatisfaction over accumulated security issues between the two nations have "for now been resolved" following the recent South Korea-U.S. summit, noting, "This South Korea-U.S. summit has made it possible to turn the atmosphere around."

The official added, "Security issues will also be reactivated soon, and we intend to proceed with negotiations as quickly as possible as we desire."

"Both (South Korea and the U.S.) understand the complete picture well," the official reiterated, emphasizing, "How much is drawn and what stage we have reached seems to depend on how you look at it. We will push forward quickly."

(Photo courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yonhap News)