North Korea issues a warning to South Korea not to cross or intrude even “a millimeter” into its territory, saying it will respond with “immediate and powerful counteraction” if Seoul does so. The warning follows South Korea’s mine-removal operations along the inter-Korean border after a landmine blast injures South Korean soldiers.
South Korea says the blast occurred on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and that the mines were planted by North Korea. After the Sept. 21 incident in which three South Korean soldiers were reported injured (with some accounts describing critical injuries), South Korea’s military concludes that the mines were responsible and proceeds with mine-clearing at the site. One outlet also notes the operation takes place in coordination with the United Nations Command, which oversees parts of the border area.
Across the reports, North Korea frames the mine-clearing as unacceptable, stating it does not accept South Korea’s actions near the border. The accounts agree on the wording of the warning and on the sequence linking the landmine blast, South Korea’s mine removal, and North Korea’s threat of retaliation.
