Archive · 5 Oct 2026
South Korea Blames North Korea for Border Mine Blast
Two South Korean soldiers were badly hurt when a mine exploded near the border.
South Korea says North Korea planted the mine.
The blast happened on September 21 in the Demilitarized Zone.
South Korea says the mine may have been there for about a year.
The United Nations Command and South Korean military investigated the incident together.
South Korea wants North Korea to apologize and remove mines.
South Korean troops have started removing mines themselves.
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong denied the accusation and said it was groundless.
The two countries are still technically at war because their 1950–53 war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
South Korea said a mine blast that severely wounded two soldiers was caused by a North Korean anti-personnel mine.
The blast occurred on September 21 in the Demilitarized Zone, south of the Military Demarcation Line.
South Korea said the mine was believed to have been planted about a year earlier.
Seoul urged North Korea to apologize and remove mines; its army began removing mines on Monday.
North Korea's Kim Yo Jong called the accusation groundless and rejected Seoul's demand for an apology.
- Who
- Two South Korean soldiers were wounded; South Korea blamed North Korea for the mine.
- What
- A mine blast severely wounded the soldiers, and South Korea said the mine was planted by North Korea.
- When
- The blast occurred on September 21; South Korea announced its finding on Monday, October 5.
- Where
- In the Demilitarized Zone, south of the Military Demarcation Line.
- Why
- South Korea said the mine was installed during North Korea's border fortification work.
South Korea and United Nations Command
North Korea
Responsibility for the blast
South Korea and United Nations Command
South Korea said joint investigations and scientific evidence showed the mine was installed by North Korea south of the Military Demarcation Line.
North Korea
Kim Yo Jong called South Korea's accusation groundless.
Apology and mine removal
South Korea and United Nations Command
South Korea urged North Korea to apologize and immediately remove mines it said were installed in violation of the Armistice agreement.
North Korea
Kim Yo Jong dismissed Seoul's demand for an apology.
- Incident date
- September 21
- Injured
- Two South Korean soldiers, severely wounded
- Mine type
- Anti-personnel mine
- Suspected planting time
- About a year before the blast, according to South Korea
- Investigation
- Joint investigation by the South Korean military and the United Nations Command
- South Korea's response
- Its army began operations to remove North Korean mines on Monday
- North Korea's response
- Kim Yo Jong called South Korea's accusation groundless and rejected its demand for an apology