During a National Assembly defense committee audit on October 7, Defense Minister Kang Shin-cheol stated that hundreds of landmines have been identified as having been planted by North Korea south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). He emphasized the need to strongly urge the North to cease its violations of the armistice agreement and restore the area to its original state.
Previously, a task force led by Army Lieutenant General Kwon Dae-won, the Deputy Chief of Staff, conducted a landmine removal operation on October 5 by detonating identified landmines at the site of a recent explosion.
The opposition party criticized the military's response, pointing out that three of its officers were seriously injured due to North Korean landmine provocations. Lim Jong-deuk, a member of the opposition People Power Party, stated, "The military's publicized landmine removal operation is a show. There are still many areas in the 25th Division where landmines have not been cleared, and the public will not perceive this as a decisive response."
In response to calls from fellow party member Kang Sun-young for the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts to North Korea as an effective measure, Minister Kang remarked, "If it were a strong measure, I would have used it. However, we need to reconsider whether it is truly effective against the enemy. North Korea has learned from past experiences and is unlikely to yield in the same way."
Contrary to Minister Kang's comments, North Korea has historically reacted sensitively to loudspeaker broadcasts and has consistently requested their cessation due to their significant psychological impact. These broadcasts typically cover topics such as the hereditary succession and corruption of Kim Jong-un's regime, news of executions within the North Korean military, the immorality of the dictatorial power, as well as sports, international news, weather, and popular music. The North Korean military, confined in a closed environment and subjected to indoctrination, may become unsettled upon hearing such broadcasts.
Loudspeaker broadcasts can be heard up to 10 kilometers during the day and 24 kilometers at night, making them a powerful non-military measure that can reach residents in Kaesong.
However, the 'Council of Mayors and County Heads of Border Areas,' composed of local leaders from ten border municipalities in Gangwon, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, expressed opposition to the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts on October 6. They believe that heightened military tensions between the two Koreas could directly impact the daily lives and safety of residents in border areas. Local residents have voiced concerns about potential threats to their safety and property rights.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.