South Korea’s top military commander says a mine blast near the inter-Korean border is a “provocation” by North Korea. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung makes the remarks during a parliamentary audit, adding that he will review South Korea’s response measures following the incident.
Both outlets report that the JCS and the United Nations Command complete a joint investigation into the Sept. 21 blast. The investigation confirms the preliminary finding that resin anti-personnel mines deliberately planted by Pyongyang south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) caused the explosion.
Korea Times also highlights a dispute over terminology, saying some opposition lawmakers question why the military did not include the word “provocation” in an earlier briefing. Jin responds that he viewed the blast as a provocation throughout, but acknowledges he had not closely monitored whether that specific term appeared in the announcement.
