South Korea's military says mine finding was not politically motivated

A South Korean newspaper published a story on September 29 questioning whether the military had delayed speaking about testimony on a North Korean mine because of the president's UN speech.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff disputed that suggestion in a response.

It said the announcement of its field investigation results was unrelated to political considerations, including the president's speech to the UN General Assembly.

The military said it used forensic analysis and an on-site investigation to check the evidence.

It concluded there was a very high likelihood the mine was North Korean and made its findings public.

The military's response gives its explanation for both the timing and basis of the announcement; no further action was stated.