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Yang Jin-hyuk, director of operations at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), briefs reporters on the final findings of a joint on-site investigation task force into landmine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul, on Oct. 5. / Yonhap News Agency

A letter sent by the South Korean government to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding landmine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has been made public. In the letter, Seoul urged North Korea to apologize, take responsible measures and engage in dialogue to restore trust on the Korean Peninsula.

According to the United Nations on Nov. 3, the contents of a letter sent by Cha Ji-hoon, South Korea's ambassador to the UN, to the Security Council president on Oct. 22 were made public after it was registered as an official Security Council document (S/2026/836).

In the letter, the South Korean government said, "We wish to draw the Security Council's attention to the landmine explosions that occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the DMZ on Sept. 21."

"The Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff conducted a joint investigation with the United Nations Command (UNC) and announced the final findings based on forensic analysis by the National Forensic Service. The investigation confirmed that the explosions were caused by resin-cased antipersonnel mines planted by North Korea," it explained.

"The two explosion sites and an additional mine discovered were all confirmed to be located approximately 10 meters south of the MDL. Investigators ruled out the possibility that the mines had moved accidentally and concluded that they had been deliberately planted by North Korean forces," the government said.

"Despite South Korea's continued efforts to promote peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea has continued its so-called border fortification activities, including laying landmines. Such actions are further escalating tensions along the inter-Korean border," it added.

The South Korean government also emphasized that the UNC had confirmed North Korea's planting of the mines constituted "a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement."

"We strongly urge North Korea to immediately cease these tension-raising activities, apologize and take responsible measures. These should include removing mines planted in violation of the Armistice Agreement and taking steps to prevent a recurrence," the government said.

"We also urge North Korea to engage in dialogue to prevent further escalation of tensions and restore trust on the Korean Peninsula," it added.

The government further stated, "The Republic of Korea also wishes to draw the Security Council's attention to North Korea's recent attempts to characterize legitimate operations conducted by the South Korean military near the MDL as 'provocations' and shift responsibility for rising tensions in the area onto South Korea."

"We wish to emphasize that the warning broadcasts and warning shots conducted by our military near the MDL are legitimate and defensive measures. Their purpose is to prevent North Korean troops from crossing the MDL and, if they do cross it, to ensure their immediate withdrawal," it clarified.

However, the South Korean government did not request any specific follow-up measures through the letter, such as convening a Security Council meeting or adopting a presidential statement or press statement.

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol