Archive · 6 Oct 2026
South Korea Prepares Response, Demands Apology Over DMZ Blast
A mine exploded in the Korean Demilitarized Zone on September 21.
Three South Korean soldiers were hurt, and two were seriously injured.
South Korea says a joint investigation found that North Korean mines caused the blast.
It wants North Korea to apologise and remove mines south of the Military Demarcation Line.
South Korea is also asking North Korea to discuss disagreements about where that line is.
North Korea says the accusation is groundless and denies deliberately planting mines there.
South Korea says it is preparing a response, but has not said what it will do.
South Korea said it was preparing a response to press North Korea to apologise for a mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone.
The September 21 blast wounded three South Korean troops, two of them seriously.
South Korea said a joint investigation with the United Nations Command found North Korean mines caused the blast.
Seoul called on Pyongyang to remove mines south of the Military Demarcation Line and discuss differences over the line's location.
North Korea rejected the accusation as groundless and denied deliberately planting mines in the border zone.
- Who
- South Korea and North Korea; three South Korean troops were injured.
- What
- South Korea is preparing a response and demanding an apology over a DMZ mine blast; North Korea denies responsibility.
- When
- The blast occurred on September 21; South Korea announced its preparations on October 6.
- Where
- The Demilitarized Zone on the Korean Peninsula, near the Military Demarcation Line.
- Why
- South Korea says North Korean mines caused the blast and wants an apology, mine removal, and talks about differences over the border line.
South Korea's position
North Korea's position
Responsibility for the blast
South Korea's position
South Korea says a joint investigation with the United Nations Command found North Korean mines caused the blast.
North Korea's position
North Korea called Seoul's accusation groundless and denied deliberately planting mines in the border zone.
Apology and mine removal
South Korea's position
South Korea says North Korea must apologise and remove mines planted south of the Military Demarcation Line.
North Korea's position
North Korea dismissed Seoul's demand for an apology.
Location of the border line
South Korea's position
South Korea says differences over the exact location of the Military Demarcation Line contribute to tension and has called for talks.
North Korea's position
The report says the two Koreas differ over the line but does not provide North Korea's specific position on talks.
- Blast date
- September 21
- South Korean troops injured
- Three; two were seriously wounded
- South Korea's claim
- A joint investigation with the United Nations Command attributed the blast to North Korean mines
- North Korea's response
- Rejected the accusation as groundless and denied deliberately planting mines in the border zone
- South Korea's demands
- An apology, removal of mines south of the Military Demarcation Line, and talks about the line's location
- Military Demarcation Line
- More than 200 km long, with 1,900 markers; drawn up in 1953