Seoul Urges DPRK to Apologise for Border Tunnel Explosion, Demands Responsibility

Seoul, 18 October – The Republic of Korea’s prime minister, Han Seung‑soo, announced a renewed diplomatic push to re‑engage Pyongyang in peace talks. Speaking at a competition for North Korean refugees living in the capital, he emphasized that reopening dialogue is essential for long‑term stability on the peninsula.

Han described the peninsula’s division as an ongoing reality that continues to inflict hardship on displaced citizens and separated families. He appealed to the audience for cooperation in fostering a peaceful coexistence, noting that the suffering of those families is still “unresolved.”

He also thanked the participants for their contributions toward South Korea’s economic development and democratic evolution, underscoring the importance of civil society in national advancement.

Earlier this month, South Korea called on the United Nations to compel the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take “responsible steps” after accusing it of violating the armistice by deliberately laying an explosive tunnel near the Military Demarcation Line. The tunnel allegedly wounded three South Korean soldiers near the border in the previous month.

During a committee session of the 81st UN General Assembly, Ambassador Cha Ji‑hoon presented evidence from a joint investigation conducted by the South Korean army and the UN Command. The forensic analysis confirmed that the September 21 blast originated from a bomb tunnel installed by North Korean forces south of the MDL.

Cha labeled the act a “clear breach of the cease‑fire agreement,” urging the DPRK to apologise, halt provocative activities, and adopt responsible conduct moving forward.

The North Korean representative dismissed the accusations as an attempt to portray Pyongyang’s defensive measures as “military infiltration,” calling the claim a “low‑level tactic” by the ROK to shift blame.

Both sides reiterated opposite views on nuclear weapons. Cha reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to non‑proliferation and called on the DPRK to fully comply with the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The North’s envoy defended its nuclear programme as indispensable for protecting sovereignty against decades of perceived U.S. nuclear threat.