Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said on Tuesday (Oct. 6) that the South Korean military's landmine-clearing operation conducted the previous day at the site of a North Korean mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was "actually the first of its kind in our DMZ history," describing it as "a decisive response."

Minister Kang emphasized this while speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning at the defense ministry building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, when asked about criticism that the response was too passive and defensive, saying, "That is not the case."

"Our comrades-in-arms were seriously injured while carrying out legitimate operations by mines that North Korea installed under the pretext of so-called 'border fortification,'" Kang said. "In response, our military took the necessary measures yesterday."

He added, "North Korea bears all responsibility," stating, "Going forward, our military will respond resolutely to any actions that harm our national security."

Regarding the timing of additional mine-clearing operations, he answered, "The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United Nations Command will assess the situation and carry out operations."

Regarding follow-up measures after the mine-clearing operation, Kang refrained from giving details, saying, "We will continue to take necessary measures," but adding, "We are considering many different ideas, so it is difficult to discuss them here."

Along with this, he noted, "There are multiple Military Demarcation Lines (MDLs) (as perceived by South Korea, North Korea, and the UN Command)," adding, "I believe (North Korea) must come to the site or to the (dialogue) table to mutually verify these aspects."

On the previous day, alongside the announcement of the final investigation results concluding that South Korean soldiers were injured by mines laid by North Korea south of the MDL, the military cleared North Korean mines planted around the accident site through controlled detonations.

This marks the South Korean military's first substantive action in response to North Korean landmine explosions in the DMZ.

It is the first time the South Korean military has conducted a physical removal operation targeting a minefield planted by North Korea south of the MDL.

Furthermore, the military warned that if North Korea does not voluntarily remove the minefields south of the MDL, it will continue to carry out clearance operations.

(Photo: Yonhap News)