The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 29th that during an investigation into the mine explosion site in the southern Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, they discovered one North Korean “plastic anti-personnel mine (수지 반보병 지뢰),” which resembles a wooden-box mine in shape but is made of plastic. The military and the U.N. Command conducted their third consecutive joint on-site investigation on that day, following investigations on the 27th and 28th.
Engineers who participated in the operation on the 21st stated they had seen a similar mine nearby during their withdrawal, but it was not confirmed during this investigation. The JCS assessed that the newly discovered mine was a “different type of plastic anti-personnel mine from the one described by the participating soldiers.” Considering that two mines exploded on the 21st, it is estimated that at least four North Korean mines were buried in the area.
The newly discovered mine was located approximately 1 meter away from the site of the second mine explosion, where the battalion commander of the 25th Division’s direct-report reconnaissance battalion had his ankle severed. The first and second mine explosion sites were also only about 2 meters apart.
Regarding the concentration of multiple mines in such a narrow area, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul stated during a National Assembly Defense Committee meeting on the same day, “This was intentional placement. The possibility of it being lost is low,” adding, “We estimate that North Korea did this in relation to the ‘fortification of the border line.’” Minister Kang also said, “The violation of the Armistice Agreement is clear, and since the responsibility lies with North Korea, we will take corresponding measures.”
President Lee Jae Myung stated during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae that morning, “The military authorities must transparently uncover the truth of the incident through a swift and thorough investigation in close cooperation with the U.N. Command, and take necessary measures based on the findings.” He also expressed condolences to the injured soldiers and their families, wishing them a speedy recovery.
President Lee emphasized, “There should be no division between ruling and opposition parties on national security,” and added, “I hope there will be no attempts to incite baseless conspiracy theories related to this incident, endangering national security.” Cheong Wa Dae clarified, “The military’s on-site investigation is in no way related to the President’s U.N. speech.”
◇ 4 Mines in 1–2 Meter Intervals… ‘North Likely Laid Mines While Fortifying Border’
During the National Assembly Defense Committee’s urgent questioning session on the 29th, both ruling and opposition parties demanded a strong response to North Korea’s mine placement, which injured three South Korean soldiers. However, debates continued over whether the South Korean military and government responded appropriately after the mine explosions on the 21st. The Democratic Party proposed adopting a resolution condemning North Korea, but it was scrapped due to disagreements with the People Power Party over specific wording. The Democratic Party insisted on including only condemnations of North Korea, while the People Power Party demanded clauses stating that humanitarian aid and related budgets to North Korea should not be reflected unless North Korea apologizes and promises to prevent recurrence.
◇ Ruling Party Also Calls It a ‘Provocation Violating the Armistice Agreement’
Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Byung-ju, the ruling party’s Defense Committee secretary, stated, “Based on the current circumstances, this was an accident caused by North Korean mines,” adding, “It is a violation of the Armistice Agreement and a clear provocation.” He proposed adopting a resolution condemning North Korea at the Defense Committee level.
People Power Party Rep. Lim Jong-deuk, the opposition party’s Defense Committee secretary, said, “The government should respond more decisively, unlike its previous stance,” and emphasized, “There should be no division between ruling and opposition parties on this issue.” The Defense Committee meeting, originally scheduled for 2 p.m., was delayed by an hour and began at 3 p.m. because People Power Party members of the committee accompanied their party leader, Jang Dong-hyeok, on a visit to Baengnyeong Island that morning.
Regarding corresponding measures against North Korea, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said, “We have various and necessary countermeasures, which we will implement step by step,” and added, “We will hold North Korea accountable through cooperation with the U.N. Command and the international community.” However, he did not specify the measures, stating, “That is also an operational matter.”
Minister Kang’s statement that the violation of the Armistice Agreement was “clear” eight days after the mine explosion was likely influenced by the additional discovery of a North Korean plastic mine approximately 10 meters south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) around 10 a.m. that day. The U.N. Command stated in June, “North Korea’s placement of mines south of the MDL is automatically a violation of the Armistice Agreement, as it is not for defensive purposes.”
◇ North Korea’s ‘Intentionality’ Remains a Key Issue
When People Power Party Rep. Yu Yong-weon asked whether the North Korean mine in the southern DMZ was intentionally placed rather than lost, Minister Kang clearly answered, “It was intentionally placed.” Since all four mines were concentrated within a 4-meter diameter, “the possibility of them being lost is low.”
However, Minister Kang implied that further judgment was needed regarding North Korea’s intentionality. In August 2015, during the wooden-box mine provocation, the South Korean military stated, “It is certain that the enemy intentionally placed three wooden-box mines to harm our operational forces,” and resumed loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea.
Earlier that morning, Democratic Party Rep. Jin Sung-joon, chairman of the National Assembly Defense Committee, said in a radio interview, “The mine explosion site is an area where the South Korean military does not usually conduct search operations,” adding, “Therefore, it is difficult to conclusively say that North Korea intentionally placed the mines to harm South Korean soldiers.”
Independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon, however, wrote on Facebook, “What other purpose could there be for a cruel weapon like a mine other than to inflict harm?” and asked, “Is Defense Committee Chairman Jin the Defense Committee chairman of North Korea or South Korea?”
◇ Responsibility Debate: Yoon Administration or Lee Administration?
Minister Kang stated, “North Korea likely placed the mines while fortifying the border line in front of the MDL,” but added, “The timing of the placement is believed to be earlier than last September.” The South Korean military initially began clearing search routes in the DMZ in September last year after observing terrain changes suggesting North Korea had placed mines. However, near the newly discovered mine, there were no mine rows (지뢰열) typically formed when mines are systematically placed, and some were covered by tree roots, suggesting they might have been placed even earlier.
The timing of the mine placement is tied to the ruling and opposition parties’ responsibility debates. Democratic Party Rep. Kim Byung-ju said during a party meeting, “North Korea’s mine placement began in earnest in April 2024. The mines discovered today are at least one year old,” and added, “If the Yoon Suk-yeol administration had taken decisive action at the time, this tragedy could have been avoided.”
The opposition party, however, claims that Han Ki-sung, the former 25th Division commander (currently excluded from duty as the 1st Corps commander), failed to respond properly, including refusing orders to monitor North Korea’s activities. They also pointed out that the National Security Council (NSC) standing meeting was not convened after the mine explosion on the 21st, and the first on-site investigation took place six days later.
Reform Party Rep. Chun Ha-ram asked Minister Kang, “Why didn’t you recommend convening the NSC to the President?” and added, “It seems like the President prioritizes political schedules over national security.” Minister Kang responded, “There was no concealment or delay.”
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