South and North Korea dispute UN mine blast claims in the DMZ

South and North Korea clashed at the United Nations last Thursday over recent land mine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone, with Seoul accusing Pyongyang of violating the Armistice Agreement and demanding an apology while the North denies responsibility. South Korean Ambassador to the UN Cha Ji-hoon raised the Sept. 21 explosions during the general debate of the First Committee of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, saying three South Korean military personnel were injured. “A joint on-site investigation by ROK military and the UNC supported by forensic analysis confirmed that the explosion was caused by a landmine deliberately planted […]...Keep on reading: Two Koreas clash at UN over DMZ mine blasts

South Korea urged North Korea to take "responsible measures" Thursday at the United Nations, accusing Pyongyang of violating the Armistice Agreement by deliberately planting a land mine that injured three South Korean soldiers near the inter-Korean border last month. During a committee meeting of the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, South Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Cha Ji-hoon said a joint investigation by the South Korean military and the United Nations Command (UNC) confirmed that a Sept. 21 explosion was caused by a land mine deliberately planted by North Korean forces south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating the two Koreas. "A joint on-site investigation by ROK military and the UNC supported by forensic analysis confirmed that the explosion was caused by a landmine deliberately planted by DPRK forces south of the military demarcation line," Cha said, referring to the two Koreas by their official names, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively. Cha said the incident constituted a clear violation of the A

The United Nations Command (UNC) is not disclosing what follow-up measures it would take in response to the North Korean land mine explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), although it recognized the North violated the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. According to sources familiar with the UNC, Thursday, details of possible next steps cannot be disclosed at this stage, while the absence of an immediate measure does not mean further action has been ruled out. Late last month, the UNC and South Korean military conducted a joint investigation on the site of the Sept. 21 mine blast within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which seriously injured several South Korean soldiers, and announced the North violated the armistice agreement by laying mines in South Korean territory. Sources said that besides the official announcement of the armistice violation, UNC so far has nothing to additionally announce, such as whether it would raise the issue to the U.N. The command’s relationship with the U.N. involves separate questions of operational authority and reporting responsibilities. UNC

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday that South Korea is considering calling on the United Nations to take action against North Korea for planting land mines south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). He made the remarks during a parliamentary audit of the foreign ministry, following the South Korean military concluding on Monday that North Korean troops had planted land mines south of the MDL in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The mines exploded on Sept. 21 and seriously injured several South Korean soldiers. The U.N. Command (UNC) determined that placing the mines violated the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. Cho said the government is considering imposing unilateral sanctions targeting North Korea, as well as sending a letter to the president of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) to call for U.N.-level action. When asked what actions would be possible, Cho said, "If the issue is dealt with at the UNSC, it could lead to a statement by the UNSC chief or the adoption of a resolution. Or we could just send a letter or not do it at all ... We are reviewing all four options." Cho said hold

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday that South Korea will make every effort to hold North Korea accountable for planting land mines south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) while preventing the incident from escalating into broader military tensions. The issue was raised during a parliamentary audit of the foreign ministry, following the South Korean military’s conclusion that North Korean troops had planted land mines south of the MDL in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The South Korean military concluded Monday that North Korean troops had planted the mines that exploded Sept. 21 and seriously injured South Korean soldiers. The U.N. Command (UNC) determined that placing the mines violated the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. Cho said holding North Korea accountable and preventing an unnecessary escalation of tensions should go hand in hand. He described the two objectives as “two sides of the same coin,” saying the government would continue efforts on both fronts. Cho also backed the need for the two Koreas and the UNC to jointly manage MDL markers, saying Seoul has been disc