South Korean Officials Seek Transparent Probe After Soldiers Injured in DMZ Mine Incident

Seoul – Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul emphasized on Monday that the South Korean government will conduct a transparent investigation into the DMZ explosion that left two soldiers gravely injured on September 21. Speaking after a meeting with opposition leader Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party, Kang said that if the incident is proved to be the result of North Korean‑laid landmines, a "proper, solid and retaliatory" response will be formulated. The blast, which consisted of two separate detonations south of the Military Demarcation Line, is suspected to involve new landmines planted by the North. Though some reports mentioned a wooden‑boxed mine spotted by troops, Kang noted that other accounts dispute that observation and that the exact nature of the device remains uncertain pending forensic analysis. He promised that once the investigation yields clear results, the ministry will brief the public in an open manner. Rejecting allegations of a cover‑up, Kang affirmed that the armed forces have no intention of withholding information. Representative Kim Byung-ju of the ruling Democratic Party announced that the parliamentary National Defense Committee will convene an extended session on Tuesday to question officials about the blast. While the DP favors a joint on‑site inspection, the PPP is pressing for a full parliamentary hearing, indicating a split in approach. Both factions stress the need for accountability and a decisive answer to any aggression emanating from the north.