Blue House: "DMZ Landmine Incident, Fact-Finding First... Appropriate Measures to Follow"

Ki-Hong Sung, Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Relations

"Military Reviewing Various Response Options"

On Kim Jiyong: "'Pro-Yoon' and 'Pro-Han' Evaluations Very Different from Reality"

Regarding Successor to Kang Hoon Sik and Policy Chief Appointment: "President Deliberating"

The Blue House has stated in relation to the suspected landmine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the western frontline that it will "first clarify the facts and conduct an investigation, and then, after confirming the facts, take all the necessary and appropriate measures accordingly."

Ki-Hong Sung, Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communication at the Blue House, appeared on the YouTube channel 'Idonghyeong TV' on the 30th. In response to a question about the military's assessment that the recent accident was likely caused by a North Korean landmine, Sung stated, "The Blue House is not lukewarm on this issue," emphasizing its stance as mentioned above.

Ki-Hong Sung, Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communications at the Blue House. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Sung further explained, "The military is conducting its own on-site investigation and has said it will take appropriate corresponding measures," and added, "I understand that various response options are being reviewed regarding this matter."

The South Korean military and the United Nations Command concluded that the September 21st DMZ explosion was caused by a North Korean landmine planted south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). However, North Korea has denied this.

Sung also addressed the ongoing additional vetting of Kim Jiyong, the nominee for the inaugural head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, saying, "There are quite a few cases where the evaluation of the nominee has been significantly distorted," and explained, "Some claim that Kim is a 'pro-Yoon' or 'pro-Han' prosecutor, but a closer look at the various additional vetting processes shows that this is actually very different from reality."

He continued, "Kim was the one who strongly advocated for the resumption of the investigation into the mother-in-law of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, precisely at a time when Yoon was widely considered a strong presidential contender for the conservative party," adding, "There is a significant difference between some of what is being said in the public and the actual facts."

Regarding the timing for the submission of the parliamentary confirmation request for Kim’s nomination, Sung commented, "Since the appointment is a matter for the president, we will have to watch and see."

On the appointment of a successor to Kang Hoon-Sik, the recently resigned Chief Presidential Secretary, and the vacant policy chief position, Sung explained, "While this ultimately depends on the president's judgment and decision, he is currently deliberating. Once he has decided, I expect the direction for new appointments will be made clear in the near future."

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