Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul made the remarks during a National Assembly defense committee meeting as the military disclosed that investigators had found an intact North Korean resin-bodied antipersonnel mine near the site of last week's explosions in the Demilitarized Zone.
Asked whether the mines could have been displaced by flooding or other natural causes, Kang said that possibility appeared unlikely.
"It does not appear to have been washed away," Kang said, adding that the military believes the mine was placed as North Korea fortified areas around the Military Demarcation Line.
Kang said, however, that investigators still need to determine when the mine was planted, including whether it was placed during North Korean fortification work detected in 2025 or belonged to an older minefield dating back decades.
He also described North Korea's actions as a "clear" violation of the 1953 Armistice Agreement.
"Responsibility lies with North Korea, so we will take corresponding measures," Kang said, adding that the military has options prepared and would implement them in stages. He declined to provide details, citing operational security.
The remarks marked a firmer assessment than the military's interim findings announced Monday, when the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was "highly likely" that North Korean mines caused the Sept. 21 explosions.
Three South Korean officers were injured in two explosions on Sept. 21 while troops from the Army's 25th Infantry Division were clearing a route inside the western DMZ ahead of a planned inspection with the United Nations Command.
The JCS said Tuesday that investigators conducting another on-site search found a North Korean resin-bodied antipersonnel mine about one meter behind the site of the second explosion.
The South Korean military and the UNC are continuing their joint investigation before issuing a final conclusion on when and under what circumstances the mines were planted.
AJP Takeaways
- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul called the DMZ mine incident a clear violation of the 1953 Armistice Agreement.
- Seoul says North Korean mines likely caused the Sept. 21 blasts that injured three South Korean officers.
- South Korea vowed corresponding measures as the military and U.N. Command continue their investigation.
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