South Korea is preparing measures to force North Korea to apologize for a landmine blast in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean soldiers, including two who were seriously wounded. The blast occurred on September 21, and a joint investigation with the United Nations Command concluded that two landmines planted by North Korean forces about a year earlier were responsible.
The South Korean government has demanded an official apology from North Korea and called on Pyongyang to remove mines it allegedly planted on the southern side of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which runs through the heavily fortified DMZ. Defence ministry spokeswoman Chung Bin-na said Seoul had not ruled out further action but did not disclose what measures could be taken.
North Korea has rejected South Korea's accusations and dismissed the demand for an apology. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, described Seoul's call for an apology as "despicable". The latest dispute has added to tensions between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
South Korea is also calling for talks with Pyongyang over the alignment of the Military Demarcation Line, with Seoul saying differences over the exact location of the boundary are contributing to tensions along the border. The MDL stretches more than 200 kilometres between the east and west coasts and is marked by about 1,900 markers. However, some sections have become difficult to identify after decades of limited access to the DMZ.
The dispute comes as North Korea continues to strengthen its border fortifications. Since 2024, Pyongyang has laid mines and constructed anti-tank barriers along the frontier as part of efforts to seal off the border. North Korea has also destroyed sections of inter-Korean roads that were no longer in use.
Landmine incidents have previously triggered serious tensions between the two countries. In 2015, two South Korean soldiers were seriously injured by a landmine explosion on the southern side of the DMZ, with one losing both legs. Seoul concluded that North Korean troops had crossed the MDL to plant the mines, an accusation Pyongyang denied.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the security of the DMZ and the possibility of further confrontation between the two Koreas. Reuters reported that North Korea has also warned of strong counteraction against any perceived violation of its territory, further raising tensions surrounding the border.
Key points
- South Korea demands an official apology from North Korea for the landmine blast.
- North Korea has rejected South Korea's accusations and dismissed the demand for an apology.
- The dispute has added to tensions between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.
