The Democratic Party of Korea stated that if the landmine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21 is confirmed to be the work of North Korea, it should be regarded as a serious provocation that warrants appropriate measures. However, they also expressed caution, noting that no official investigation results have been released to determine the purpose or origin of the landmines.
During a National Assembly meeting on September 29, Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, emphasized that if the Joint Chiefs of Staff's assessment that the landmines are likely from North Korea is confirmed, the government must take strong action. He stated, "The day before, the Joint Chiefs of Staff concluded that there is a high possibility the landmines are from the North Korean military. If confirmed, the government should respond accordingly."
Chun Jun-ho, the party's deputy floor leader, suggested that it is essential to wait for the final investigation results. He remarked, "If it is confirmed that the North Korean military laid landmines south of the Military Demarcation Line, it would be a significant provocation that cannot be overlooked. However, it is still under investigation whether the North Korean military directly laid them or if they were lost from another area. We should not jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete, even if the likelihood of North Korean landmines has increased."
After the meeting, Kim Seong-hwa, the party's spokesperson, told reporters, "The moment it is confirmed that North Korea directly laid landmines on South Korean territory, this situation will enter a different phase," stressing the need for caution in drawing conclusions until there is clear evidence of North Korean involvement.
Meanwhile, Jin Sung-jun, the chair of the National Defense Committee, expressed skepticism about concluding that the landmines were intended to harm South Korean forces, given that the incident occurred in an area where South Korean military operations had not been conducted. He stated on KBS Radio's 'Current Affairs' program, "This area is not one where our military has conducted search operations. It is difficult to conclude that the landmines were laid with the intent to harm our military," adding that if North Korea laid the mines for defensive purposes, a careful military response would be necessary.
During a National Assembly meeting on September 29, Han Byeong-do, the party's floor leader, emphasized that if the Joint Chiefs of Staff's assessment that the landmines are likely from North Korea is confirmed, the government must take strong action. He stated, "The day before, the Joint Chiefs of Staff concluded that there is a high possibility the landmines are from the North Korean military. If confirmed, the government should respond accordingly."
Chun Jun-ho, the party's deputy floor leader, suggested that it is essential to wait for the final investigation results. He remarked, "If it is confirmed that the North Korean military laid landmines south of the Military Demarcation Line, it would be a significant provocation that cannot be overlooked. However, it is still under investigation whether the North Korean military directly laid them or if they were lost from another area. We should not jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete, even if the likelihood of North Korean landmines has increased."
After the meeting, Kim Seong-hwa, the party's spokesperson, told reporters, "The moment it is confirmed that North Korea directly laid landmines on South Korean territory, this situation will enter a different phase," stressing the need for caution in drawing conclusions until there is clear evidence of North Korean involvement.
Meanwhile, Jin Sung-jun, the chair of the National Defense Committee, expressed skepticism about concluding that the landmines were intended to harm South Korean forces, given that the incident occurred in an area where South Korean military operations had not been conducted. He stated on KBS Radio's 'Current Affairs' program, "This area is not one where our military has conducted search operations. It is difficult to conclude that the landmines were laid with the intent to harm our military," adding that if North Korea laid the mines for defensive purposes, a careful military response would be necessary.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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