UN Ambassador Cha Ji-hoon stated that the response to the mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), attributed to North Korea, remains undecided.
During a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting in New York on October 13, Cha said, "The government's strategic decision has not yet been made." A day earlier, a Foreign Ministry official explained to reporters that they are assessing the benefits of potential actions, including sending a letter to the chair of the UN Security Council, and reviewing which measures could be more effective.
In response to criticism from opposition lawmakers regarding the lack of action at the UN following the mine explosion, Cha asserted, "People keep calling it amateurish, but I believe that statements made at the General Assembly resonate more than a letter to the Security Council."
Cha also addressed the incident during his speech at the 81st UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security on October 8, stating, "On September 21, a mine exploded in the DMZ, injuring three soldiers. A joint investigation by the South Korean military and the UN Command confirmed that the explosion was caused by a mine intentionally planted by North Korean troops south of the Military Demarcation Line. This is a clear violation of the armistice agreement. We strongly urge North Korea to cease its provocative actions and take responsible measures, including a public apology." He emphasized the need for North Korea to engage in dialogue to prevent further escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to restore trust.
Following Cha's remarks, North Korea quickly responded by mentioning Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, asserting that the DMZ explosion was a staged incident. In light of the controversy, Minister Jeong stated during a press briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul on October 12, "It seems they quoted my statement where I said it was difficult to specify. We are moving forward with a balanced approach, neither overly submissive nor confrontational toward North Korea."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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