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Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul answers lawmakers' questions during an urgent briefing on a suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the National Assembly National Defense Committee on the 29th. / Reporter Lee Byung-hwa

Regarding the suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul stated on the 29th that it is certain the blast was caused by a North Korean landmine, adding that it is a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement and that the military will take necessary measures step by step.

At a plenary session of the National Assembly National Defense Committee that day, when Representative Min Hong-chul of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out that if preliminary assessments suspect a North Korean landmine, it constitutes an Armistice violation and an overt military provocation, Minister Kang responded that the violation of the Armistice Agreement is clear. He continued by saying that because North Korea bears responsibility, the South will take corresponding measures.

However, Minister Kang refrained from detailing specific countermeasures. In response to an inquiry regarding the possible resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea, he stated that the military will take corresponding measures and possesses plans across various areas. He added that elaborating here on how corresponding measures will be carried out is itself part of operations.

Addressing criticism that the announcement of investigation results was delayed, he dismissed the claim by stating there was absolutely no intention to delay or conceal anything. This directly denied allegations that the military deliberately delayed releasing the findings or attempted to cover up the incident.

Regarding the circumstances behind the mine laying, Minister Kang said it is presumed that North Korea planted the mines in connection with border fortification efforts. He assessed that the mine discovered this time was not laid when North Korean troops installed mine rows in September 2025. He explained that it was laid much earlier than the installation of mine rows in September 2025, noting that no traces of mine rows were visible.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Minister Kang stated that the nation will take full responsibility and care for the injured heroes to the end so that they can concentrate entirely on medical treatment and recovery.

With the defense minister stating in the National Assembly that the accident was caused by a North Korean mine and foreshadowing corresponding measures for the Armistice violation, political debate is expected to shift toward the level of subsequent responses. Whether loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea will resume and what follow-up actions military authorities will roll out appear poised to become focal points.

                                                                                                          Kim Dong-wook