South Korea’s military has demanded an apology from North Korea after landmine blasts on 21 September that wounded three South Korean soldiers in the DMZ.
The Defence Ministry says the explosions occurred on its side of the buffer zone and identifies North Korea as likely responsible. It deems the event a clear violation of the 1953 armistice that halted active combat in the Korean War.
North Korea has denied blame, labeling the claims “groundless” and a farce designed to intensify tensions. Kim Yo Jong accused Seoul of political provocations and warned the South of potential consequences of its own actions.
Official disputes echo a 2015 incident that left two South Korean soldiers maimed, after which relations deteriorated and the DMZ remained a flashpoint for sporadic clashes.
Experts warn that further incidents could push the peninsula toward accidental escalation; the United Nations Command has pledged to pursue the breach through established armistice mechanisms to preserve stability.
