S Korea demands apology over DMZ blasts as N Korea denies planting mines

What the report says

South Korea has called on North Korea to apologize and take steps to prevent another incident after landmine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone wounded three South Korean soldiers earlier this month. According to Al Jazeera’s report, the blasts happened on September 21 near the military demarcation line in the western part of the border buffer zone, commonly known as the DMZ. South Korean military officials said the episode violated the armistice that ended active fighting in the Korean War and said Seoul was considering possible follow-up measures if North Korean responsibility is confirmed.

North Korea rejected the accusation. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, called South Korea’s assessment groundless and described it as a provocation aimed at creating a pretext for confrontation. She also objected to South Korean warning broadcasts and warning shots directed at North Korean troops carrying out front-line fortification work. Her remarks suggested Pyongyang denies its soldiers crossed the border.

The United Nations Command, which oversees the armistice on the southern side of the DMZ, said a joint investigation with South Korea’s military found an active North Korean anti-personnel mine on the South Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line. It said the finding amounted to an armistice violation. The case adds to longstanding tensions along one of the world’s most heavily fortified borders.