Jung Jeongsik: "Military Must Follow Through on Warnings to North Over Landmine Incident... Resume Loudspeaker Broadcasts First"

Jeong Jeongsik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, addressed the recent landmine explosion in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 29th, stating, "The military authorities have warned that, if it is confirmed that North Korea is responsible, all responsibility will lie with the North. We will be watching to see if these words are matched by actions." He further emphasized, "We must reinstall the loudspeakers toward North Korea and resume broadcasts targeting the North."

Jeong Jeongsik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor policy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. 2026.09.18 Photo by Dongju Yoon

During the floor policy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Floor Leader Jeong said, "Given that North Korean provocation is virtually certain in this case, we must take decisive measures in response. In 2015, when North Korea used box mines as provocation, our military responded by resuming loudspeaker broadcasts." He reiterated this stance during the meeting.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced in their first on-site investigation briefing the previous day that it is highly likely the cause of the accident was a North Korean box mine. Vice Chairman Kwon Daewon of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "Should the final investigation confirm that the cause was a mine planted by the North Korean military, all responsibility will rest with North Korea," adding, "We will take appropriate and commensurate measures."

Floor Leader Jeong also remarked, "After former Minister Ahn Kyubaek issued guidance to 'make judgments according to the situation' when North Korean troops violated the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), the level of warning broadcasts and retaliatory fire from our military has weakened." He continued, "The lax security posture established by the Lee Jaemyung administration is what led to this security disaster."

He added, "The government and the ruling party must declare an end to their submissive approach toward North Korea and break free from the delusion of so-called 'fake peace.' Instead, they must confront the harsh reality of North Korea’s landmine provocation. The People Power Party will utilize all means available, including the parliamentary audit, hearings, and special investigations, to uncover the truth about this incident."

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