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Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who cut short his European business trip and returned to South Korea in connection with the North Korean landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), answers reporters' questions on his way to work at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd. / Yonhap

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed regret on the 2nd over the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), but made his opposition clear regarding the installation of frontline propaganda loudspeakers, calling it an "irresponsible and extremely dangerous move."

Arriving for work at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minister Chung made the remarks in response to reporters' questions.

Regarding the DMZ landmine explosion, Minister Chung said, "It is an unfortunate incident. I extend my deepest sympathies to the injured soldiers and their families. However, this incident must not be used as a pretext to distort the Lee Jae-myung administration's consistent efforts toward peace. Reflecting on the root cause and correcting it is the proper duty of politics."

He added, "The core cause of this incident lies in issues surrounding the armistice line and the military demarcation line. Most of the 1,292 marker stakes driven into the ground 73 years ago have disappeared over the long passage of time. Consequently, the demarcation lines measured by the South, the North, and the United Nations Command differ from one another. Unless this issue is addressed, identical incidents can recur at any time. As Unification Minister, I propose to the North that we meet and establish communication to re-verify and finalize the Military Demarcation Line."

He further stressed, "This is not an issue that can be resolved through hardline confrontations. We do not harbor the slightest intention of treating North Korea with hostility. The South and the North must meet again to pursue consultations on peaceful coexistence. Ensuring our young people shed no more blood is the path we must take, and it is beneficial for both the South and the North."

In response to concerns over losing momentum for peaceful coexistence policies, he noted, "During the era when tourists traveled back and forth to Mount Kumgang and workers commuted to the Kaesong Industrial Complex every morning, there were no landmine explosions. People say it sounds like a dream, but the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations brought that reality to life. That is the path the Lee Jae-myung administration must follow, making peaceful coexistence all the more urgent."

Addressing remarks that the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are closely monitoring the Unification Ministry's stance regarding the incident, Minister Chung said, "Both the Foreign Ministry and the Unification Ministry are part of our administration. Once the final investigation findings are released, government measures will follow accordingly," while noting, "Demanding an apology is, of course, a given."

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol