S Korea demands apology from Pyongyang over landmine blast

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   South Korean Probe Concludes North Korea Planted DMZ Landmines

   A South Korean investigation concluded that North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line to plant landmines in the Demilitarized Zone. The blasts on September 21 severely injured three South Korean officers, including one who lost a foot. While Seoul's military demanded a formal apology and labeled the act an armistice violation, Pyongyang denied the charges and accused Seoul of conspiracy. Tensions escalated further when North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea after Kim Yo Jong rejected South Korean calls for dialogue.

   Why it matters

   South and North Korea remain technically at war since the 1953 armistice. The DMZ serves as a heavily mined buffer zone between the two nations. Recent border fortification and missile tests have increased the risk of military escalation.

   What is confirmed

   • Landmine blasts in the DMZ on September 21 injured three South Korean officers.
   • One South Korean officer lost his foot in the explosion.
   • South Korea's military demanded a formal apology from Pyongyang on September 30.
   • North Korea denied planting the mines and accused South Korea of conspiracy.
   • North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea.
   • The missile flew more than 700 kilometers according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
   • President Lee Jae Myung urged North Korea to return to dialogue on October 1.

   Still unconfirmed

   • North Korea responded to the blast within a day to shield border construction and limit Seoul's options.
   • President Lee Jae Myung described the blast as an unexpected accident without naming North Korea.

   What to watch next

   • Official response from Pyongyang to the final probe findings
   • Further ballistic missile tests or border fortification activity
   • Diplomatic response to the armistice violation claim
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. Reuters — North Korea says South Korea to pay a price for shifting blame for mine blast
   2. abcnews.com — South Korea says border blasts that injured 3 officers was likely caused by North Korean mines
   3. Euronews.com — North Korean landmine blasts in DMZ a 'violation of armistice,' Seoul says
   4. BBC — South Korea demands apology from Pyongyang for landmine blasts that injured three
   5. AP News — North Korea denies planting mines that injured 3 South Korean soldiers, accuses Seoul of conspiracy
   6. en.sedaily.com — Lee Stops Short of Blaming North for DMZ Mine Blast
   7. en.sedaily.com — North Korea Answers JCS Mine Findings in a Day, Not Four
   8. www.bbc.com — S Korea demands apology from Pyongyang over landmine blast
   9. www.aljazeera.com — S Korea demands apology over DMZ blasts as N Korea denies planting mines | United Nations News
   10. www.channelnewsasia.com — South Korea president urges Pyongyang dialogue after DMZ blasts - CNA
   11. www.ucanews.com — South Korea demands North apologise for DMZ mine blasts - UCA News
   12. www.24newshd.tv — South Korea president urges Pyongyang dialogue after DMZ blasts
   confidence 90%