Archive · 29 Sep 2026
South Korea Blames North Korean Mines for DMZ Blast
Two South Korean personnel were hurt by an explosion in the Demilitarized Zone on September 21.
South Korea says North Korean mines caused the blast.
Its defence minister said placing the mines there broke the agreement that stopped the Korean War.
Investigators from South Korea and the United Nations Command found another North Korean mine nearby.
Officials said the mines probably did not float or move there by themselves.
They said the mines were clearly south of the Military Demarcation Line.
South Korea says it has several possible responses and will use them in stages.
North Korea has not publicly said what it thinks about the accusation.
South Korea said North Korean mines caused a September 21 blast that injured two South Korean personnel in the DMZ.
Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul said the incident violated the Korean War armistice agreement and warranted a response.
A joint South Korean-United Nations Command probe found another North Korean resin anti-personnel mine south of the Military Demarcation Line.
Officials said the mines did not appear to have drifted into the area and were likely linked to North Korea’s border fortification work.
South Korea said it would take corresponding measures, while North Korea has not publicly commented on the incident.
- Who
- South Korean officials, the United Nations Command, and North Korea are involved; two South Korean personnel were injured.
- What
- A mine blast in the DMZ injured two South Korean personnel, and South Korea attributed it to North Korean mines.
- When
- The blast occurred on September 21; South Korea’s defence minister discussed it on September 29.
- Where
- The blast occurred in the Demilitarized Zone near the Military Demarcation Line.
- Why
- South Korea said the mines appeared connected to North Korea’s border fortification work and that their placement violated the Korean War armistice agreement.
South Korean assessment
North Korean position
Responsibility for the blast
South Korean assessment
South Korea said North Korean mines caused the explosion and held North Korea responsible.
North Korean position
North Korea’s state media, United Nations mission, and embassies cited in the report did not provide a public response.
Mine placement
South Korean assessment
South Korean officials said the mines appeared to have been planted during North Korea’s border fortification work and did not appear to have drifted into the area.
North Korean position
North Korea has not publicly addressed whether it placed the mines or why they were located south of the Military Demarcation Line.
Possible response
South Korean assessment
South Korea said the incident warranted a response and that it had options to be implemented in stages.
North Korean position
North Korea’s view of any potential South Korean response is not stated in the report.
- Incident date
- September 21
- Location
- Demilitarized Zone, near the Military Demarcation Line
- Casualties
- Two South Korean personnel injured
- South Korean assessment
- North Korean mines caused the blast
- Additional discovery
- A North Korean resin anti-personnel mine was found near the site
- Agreement cited
- Korean War armistice agreement
- Planned response
- South Korea said it would take measures in stages