On September 25, the opposition, including the People Power Party, criticized the government's response to the recent landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). They focused on the delay in investigating the incident.
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated on Facebook, "An immediate and thorough investigation into the landmine explosion is necessary. Any delay, even by a second, suggests intentional and manipulative concealment of facts." He urged the Ministry of National Defense to clarify the exact locations of the first and second explosions, asserting that if there is no intention to cover up the incident, this should be done immediately. He also demanded to know when the President was informed about the search and the warnings from the U.S. regarding changes in the situation since August.
Jang pointedly remarked that the President should be fighting against Kim Jong-un, not Yoo Si-min, with whom he has recently clashed.
Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also criticized the government's slow response, noting, "Our soldier lost his leg due to a landmine, which is likely North Korean, yet there has been no proper response, and the investigation has been postponed until after the Chuseok holiday."
Former Army Major General Han Gi-ho expressed frustration, stating, "The United Nations Command has called for an investigation into the landmine incident, but the Ministry of National Defense is making excuses and dragging its feet. They deserve public condemnation for this." He added, "The Minister of National Defense is being cowardly."
Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon remarked, "The President, who said he would make those who attack Koreans pay dearly, is now silent on the North Korean landmine attack and only reacts angrily to the public disclosure of North Korean defectors." He criticized Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol for claiming that the investigation could not proceed during the Chuseok holiday while attending various 'fashion shows.'
He further stated, "The security standard of the Lee Jae-myung administration is not whether Koreans are harmed, but whether it offends Kim Jong-un's regime. This is because they are compromised by Kim Jong-un, who received remittances from North Korea."
In contrast, the Democratic Party urged against politicizing the sacrifices of soldiers. Kim Byeong-joo, a former Army general, posted on Facebook early that morning, "We must ensure safety while confirming whether additional landmines are buried in the area. Evaluating the safety of the route and coordinating entry procedures with the UN Command is a necessary process for safety, not a delay."
He added, "The protective gear worn by the injured soldiers, gunpowder residues, and fragments removed during surgery are already under examination by the National Forensic Service. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the UN Command are also preparing for a joint on-site investigation," and emphasized that the injured soldiers should not be used as political fodder.
Spokesperson Shin Hyun-young also stated in a written briefing, "The People Power Party is misleading the public by suggesting that our military is intentionally delaying the on-site investigation and is pressuring us to 'enter the site immediately.' We urge them to stop using the safety of our soldiers as a political tool."
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated on Facebook, "An immediate and thorough investigation into the landmine explosion is necessary. Any delay, even by a second, suggests intentional and manipulative concealment of facts." He urged the Ministry of National Defense to clarify the exact locations of the first and second explosions, asserting that if there is no intention to cover up the incident, this should be done immediately. He also demanded to know when the President was informed about the search and the warnings from the U.S. regarding changes in the situation since August.
Jang pointedly remarked that the President should be fighting against Kim Jong-un, not Yoo Si-min, with whom he has recently clashed.
Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also criticized the government's slow response, noting, "Our soldier lost his leg due to a landmine, which is likely North Korean, yet there has been no proper response, and the investigation has been postponed until after the Chuseok holiday."
Former Army Major General Han Gi-ho expressed frustration, stating, "The United Nations Command has called for an investigation into the landmine incident, but the Ministry of National Defense is making excuses and dragging its feet. They deserve public condemnation for this." He added, "The Minister of National Defense is being cowardly."
Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon remarked, "The President, who said he would make those who attack Koreans pay dearly, is now silent on the North Korean landmine attack and only reacts angrily to the public disclosure of North Korean defectors." He criticized Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol for claiming that the investigation could not proceed during the Chuseok holiday while attending various 'fashion shows.'
He further stated, "The security standard of the Lee Jae-myung administration is not whether Koreans are harmed, but whether it offends Kim Jong-un's regime. This is because they are compromised by Kim Jong-un, who received remittances from North Korea."
In contrast, the Democratic Party urged against politicizing the sacrifices of soldiers. Kim Byeong-joo, a former Army general, posted on Facebook early that morning, "We must ensure safety while confirming whether additional landmines are buried in the area. Evaluating the safety of the route and coordinating entry procedures with the UN Command is a necessary process for safety, not a delay."
He added, "The protective gear worn by the injured soldiers, gunpowder residues, and fragments removed during surgery are already under examination by the National Forensic Service. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the UN Command are also preparing for a joint on-site investigation," and emphasized that the injured soldiers should not be used as political fodder.
Spokesperson Shin Hyun-young also stated in a written briefing, "The People Power Party is misleading the public by suggesting that our military is intentionally delaying the on-site investigation and is pressuring us to 'enter the site immediately.' We urge them to stop using the safety of our soldiers as a political tool."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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