World · East Asia & Pacific · 44 mins ago
South Korea estimates North Korea planted 960,000 DMZ mines since 2024
South Korea estimates North Korea planted 960,000 mines in the Demilitarized Zone since 2024, as part of work to fortify the border.
The estimate covers areas north of the military demarcation line, which divides the two Koreas.
The DMZ was previously thought to contain about two million mines, but estimates of the total now differ: one official gave that figure, while another account said the total may have risen to three million.
South Korea says several suspected mine sites lie south of the line, including areas linked to a recent blast involving a South Korean army unit.
South Korean forces and the UN Command are jointly investigating the suspected sites and plan to take action once they establish the facts.
North Korea's fortification work has included clearing land, building tactical roads and putting up fences, and South Korea expects it to continue until around 2028.
South Korea’s military estimates North Korea has planted 960,000 mines north of the Military Demarcation Line in the DMZ since 2024.
The estimate is nearly half of the roughly 2 million mines previously thought to be buried across the DMZ.
South Korean officials linked the mine-laying to North Korea’s border fortification work.
South Korea and the United Nations Command are investigating suspected mine-laying sites south of the Military Demarcation Line.
North Korea has repeatedly crossed the line during construction, raising military tensions.
- Who
- North Korea is assessed by South Korea’s military to have planted the mines.
- What
- South Korea estimates 960,000 mines were laid in the DMZ north of the Military Demarcation Line since 2024.
- When
- Since 2024; the estimate was reported on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- The DMZ, mainly north of the Military Demarcation Line. Suspected mine-laying sites were also reported south of the line.
- Why
- The mines are linked to North Korea’s border fortification work, including clearing land, building tactical roads and installing barbed wire.
South Korean military
North Korea
Assessment of mine-laying
South Korean military
South Korea estimates North Korea planted 960,000 mines north of the Military Demarcation Line since 2024.
North Korea
North Korea’s position on the estimate is not stated.
Military activity at the border
South Korean military
South Korea says it responds to North Korean crossings of the Military Demarcation Line with warning broadcasts and warning shots.
North Korea
Kim Yo Jong said the warning shots threatened the safety of North Korean troops and suggested North Korea could resume loudspeaker broadcasts and take further military action.
North Korea described inter-Korean relations as those between two hostile states.
North Korea carried out border fortification work, including clearing land, opening tactical roads and installing barbed wire.
South Korea’s joint chiefs operations chief explained a land-mine explosion in the DMZ involving the Army’s 25th Division.
South Korean officials discussed suspected mine-laying sites south of the Military Demarcation Line and plans for a joint investigation with the United Nations Command.
South Korea’s military estimate of 960,000 mines planted since 2024 was reported.
- Estimated mines planted since 2024
- 960,000
- Previously estimated mines across the DMZ
- About 2 million
- Suspected sites south of the Military Demarcation Line
- Several locations
- Border fortification work expected to finish
- Around 2028
4 sources
What people are saying
several locations
We plan to conduct a joint investigation with the United Nations Command and, once we are certain, continue with the necessary measures.
The South Korean military’s warning shots threaten the safety of North Korean troops.