Initial military investigations suggest that the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21 was likely caused by North Korean wooden box landmines. The military plans to take appropriate measures if the mines are confirmed to have been placed by North Korean forces. However, they noted that further investigation is needed to determine the exact type of mine and the circumstances of its placement or loss.
During a briefing on the evening of September 28, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kwon Dae-won stated, "We have assessed that the cause of the landmine explosion is very likely to be North Korean mines."
According to military reports, two mines exploded during the incident, and an additional unexploded mine was discovered as troops were withdrawing. This leads to the assumption that there were a total of three mines in the vicinity of the explosion. The additional mine was located approximately one meter from the first explosion site.
Kwon described the suspected mine as a brown resin-based anti-personnel mine, similar in shape to a wooden box mine. Resin-based anti-personnel mines resemble wooden box mines but are made of plastic rather than wood.
The military's assessment that the mines are of North Korean origin is based on forensic results from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation and the circumstances at the scene. The Joint Chiefs of Staff received preliminary forensic results at 4:04 PM on the same day, which included samples from the clothing and gear of injured soldiers, as well as gunpowder residue. Among these, TNT and brown substances were detected in one bulletproof helmet and two bulletproof vests.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Director Yang Jin-hyuk explained, "In the case of our mines that use TNT as the main explosive, a large number of metal fragments are produced upon detonation, with a lethal radius of over 20 meters. However, in this case, no metal fragments were found, and the detected brown substances were relatively small, leading us to conclude that they are likely North Korean mines."
Another factor supporting this assessment is the absence of records indicating that South Korean forces had laid mines in the area. Additionally, military authorities confirmed traces of North Korean mine placement near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) last September. It is reported that they identified North Korean mine-laying activities in the MDL area under the jurisdiction of the 25th Division through satellite imagery.
The military also explained that they considered the shape of the craters observed at the scene, testimonies from operational personnel regarding the flames during the explosion, and the extent of injuries to the soldiers in their assessment that the mines are likely of North Korean origin.
However, it remains unclear whether North Korean forces directly placed the mines at the explosion site or if they were lost from another location and subsequently buried over time. Further investigation is also needed to determine any connection between the incident and North Korea's so-called "border fortification" efforts.
Kwon emphasized, "If the final investigation concludes that the cause of our military's injuries was mines laid by North Korean forces, then all responsibility for the injuries sustained by our troops operating normally south of the MDL lies with North Korea." He added, "Our military will take appropriate and corresponding measures in response to this."
Defense Minister Kang Shin-cheol also mentioned "corresponding measures" regarding the incident, but specific response plans were not disclosed that day. This is due to the unclear exact location of the MDL as claimed by both South and North Korean forces, as well as the need to comprehensively assess the intentionality of North Korea.
Previously, the military conducted on-site investigations on September 27 and 28 but was unable to complete direct investigations at the explosion site. They plan to conduct a third on-site investigation soon to confirm the nature of the additional mine observed and clarify the exact circumstances of the incident.
Yang stated, "We will provide an objective and transparent explanation of the final investigation results to the public as soon as possible, based on scientific evidence from further investigations."
Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Defense Committee is scheduled to hold a plenary meeting on September 29 to discuss the landmine explosion incident.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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