Kang Shincheol on North Korean Landmines: "Low Possibility of Displacement... Presumed Related to Border Fortification"

Kang Sinchul, Minister of National Defense, stated on the 29th regarding the possibility that North Korean landmines, which caused a recent explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), had been deliberately planted or lost, "The possibility that they had been lost is low," adding, "(The North Korean military) is presumed to have planted them in connection with the fortification of the border."

Kang Sinchul, Minister of National Defense, appeared at the 'DMZ Mine Explosion Incident Briefing' held at the National Assembly on the 29th and provided a status report. 2026.09.29 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Minister Kang made these remarks in response to a question from Assemblyman Yoo Yongwon of the People Power Party, who asked, "Shouldn't we consider that the North Korean military intentionally planted the landmines?" during a briefing on the estimated DMZ mine explosion incident held by the National Assembly National Defense Committee in the afternoon of the same day.

Previously, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that in their on-site investigation that day, they identified an additional North Korean anti-personnel plastic mine about one meter away from the site of the second explosion. As a result, a total of four landmines have been confirmed at the incident site: two that exploded, one seen by soldiers at the scene, and the one additionally identified during the investigation.

Assemblyman Yoo stated in this regard, "Four mines were found clustered in an area with a diameter of about four meters. This indicates that the mines were not simply lost, but rather newly planted by North Korea to the south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). We believe it is highly likely that the accident occurred while our personnel were conducting a search in this area."

Minister Kang, however, explained further, "At the time of the first explosion, it was reported that roots and soil covered the mine that the sergeant found while probing the area." He added, "Although it is likely that the North Korean military planted the mines as part of border fortification work, our assessment so far is that the mines were most likely buried long before the line of mines installed in September last year."

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