[2026 Audit] Jeong Dongyoung on 'North Korean Landmine' Incident: "Peaceful Coexistence More Urgent Than Ever"

Kang Shincheol: "The Best Strategy Is Winning Without Fighting"

Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of Unification, referred to the recent incident on October 7, 2026, in which South Korean soldiers were injured by North Korean landmines on the western front of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), stating, "Now more than ever, we urgently need peace without conflict, and the peaceful coexistence of the Korean Peninsula is desperately needed."

Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung is listening to questions from Independent Assemblyman Han Donghun during the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee’s national audit held on the 7th at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Minister Jeong made these remarks during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's national audit, which was held at the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, adding, "Inter-Korean dialogue has been at a standstill for more than seven years, and North Korea is upgrading its nuclear capabilities day by day."

He continued, "About two weeks ago, an unfortunate accident occurred in the Demilitarized Zone, where our soldiers were injured by landmines laid by North Korea. I wish the soldiers a speedy recovery and offer my deepest sympathy." He further emphasized that "we must be thoroughly prepared to ensure that such tragedies never happen again. At the same time, efforts to achieve fundamental peace have become even more essential."

Minister Jeong also reiterated the peace coexistence initiative proposed by President Lee Jaemyung in his Liberation Day congratulatory address and keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly. He stated, "Peaceful coexistence means living together even when our ideas differ," and announced plans to steadily implement follow-up measures for inclusive, stable, and responsible peaceful coexistence. He added, "The most crucial task is to end the long-standing war on the Korean Peninsula and to establish a peace regime. Under the current armistice, military tensions continue and instability due to repeated hostility and confrontation must be transformed into sustained and stable peace."

On the same day, Minister of National Defense Kang Shinchul, during the National Assembly National Defense Committee’s audit at the Ministry of National Defense, stated, "The best strategy is to win without fighting, and such victory comes from overwhelming power that the enemy dares not challenge." While responses to the recent North Korean landmine explosion incident are being discussed, Minister Jeong emphasized peaceful coexistence, and Minister Kang stressed the overwhelming power of our military. However, both remarks are interpreted as focusing on the prevention of conflict.

Meanwhile, in its work report submitted the same day, the Ministry of Unification assessed that North Korea continues to claim its status as a nuclear-armed state, is closely observing the situation, and is exploring the possibility of dialogue with the United States. In its South Korea policy, it analyzed that North Korea is institutionalizing ‘DPRK-ROK relations’ by incorporating the Ministry of Foreign Affairs into the 10th Party. Furthermore, it reported that, in order to expand the disclosure of and accessibility to North Korean materials, the ministry is cooperating with the National Assembly on revisions to the North Korean Materials Act and the Information and Communications Network Act, including transferring responsibility for materials management from the National Intelligence Service to the Ministry of Unification.

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