Han Dong-Hoon: "Military to Conduct Joint DMZ Investigation on 27th... Refused UN Command's Demand for Prompt Probe"

"US Believes the Incident Occurred Closer to the MDL"

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-Hoon claimed that the Ministry of National Defense has decided to conduct a joint on-site investigation on the 27th regarding the suspected landmine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is holding a one-person protest on the 24th in front of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, urging an immediate investigation into a suspected mine explosion accident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Han, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, stated during a press conference held in front of the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan on the 26th, "I will explain the process in which the United Nations Command called for a prompt on-site investigation and the South Korean government refused this request," announcing the newly scheduled investigation.

He said, "UN Commander General Paul J. LaCamera issued orders for a prompt investigation on the day of the incident, September 21. In line with his orders, on September 22, the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission visited the 25th Division, requesting the sharing of data and body camera footage, interviews with the injured, and access to the site. Our military rejected this request."

He continued, "In the end, the United Nations Command insisted on a prompt on-site investigation, but, due to the opposition of the South Korean military, it was agreed that a joint investigation would be conducted after the Chuseok holiday, on the 29th." He further stressed, "It is clear that the Ministry of National Defense under the Lee Jae-myung administration did not intend to carry out any on-site investigation before the 29th."

He additionally remarked, "Since public suspicion and anger have increased over this decision, I understand that the joint investigation has ultimately been rescheduled to the 27th."

Han criticized, "The Democratic Party keeps making excuses for the delay in the on-site investigation—can you accept that? They say they are starting preparations today for the investigation on the 27th, but the preparations should have started on the 21st."

Regarding the materials provided by the South Korean military to the United Nations Command, he explained, "It was a very short video—just one video, which appears to have been recorded after the explosion. That alone makes it impossible to determine the situation before and after the incident."

Han also argued that the actual explosion site differs from the military's explanation. He stated, "The military initially claimed that the incident occurred 30 to 50 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), but I believe the United States has determined that the explosion actually took place much closer to the MDL."

He added, "Heavy rains fell yesterday, and today is the sixth day since the incident. Whether the on-site investigation happens today, tomorrow, or the day after, it is already far too late. Ultimately, this can only be seen as the Lee Jae-myung administration bowing to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un."

He also said, "Refusing the specific demands of the United Nations Command is not a decision that can be made at the level of the 25th Division commander. It must be made clear whether this order came from the Minister of National Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Office of the Blue House, or President Lee Jae-myung."

He stated, "The Lee Jae-myung administration has been caught by what is called a ‘Gaboolgi’ (a situation with no possible defense). If, after allowing six days of heavy rain, they now claim there is insufficient evidence and the cause remains unknown, this administration will face a crisis. I will hold them accountable to the end."

Since the 24th, Han has been holding a one-person protest every day, urging a prompt on-site investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.