South Korea's Defense Ministry stated on 29/9 that it was "highly likely" North Korea planted mines during border reinforcement. This led to two explosions in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on 21/9, injuring three South Korean soldiers, with one losing a foot. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul called this a "blatant violation of the armistice agreement" and affirmed that North Korea is responsible, promising "corresponding measures."

In response, North Korean media on 30/9 quoted Kim Yo-jong, sister of leader Kim Jong-un, accusing South Korea of "fabricating" false accusations. These accusations, she claimed, serve as a pretext for political and military provocation against Pyongyang.

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. *Yonhap*.

Kim Yo-jong stated, "South Korea is shifting responsibility to us and attempting to fabricate 'evidence'. Those orchestrating these provocations should prepare to pay the price for their self-created farce. Their actions are despicable and dirty." She added that such a "farce is not new at all." According to Kim, the North Korean military began building barriers in the southern border area two years ago, solely to exercise sovereignty and "not related to any military purpose." She also emphasized that North Korean soldiers have never crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), accusing the South Korean military of threatening North Korean personnel with radio broadcasts and warning shots. She issued a stern warning: "If the South Korean military fires at our soldiers reinforcing the southern border area, our border units will immediately launch an unsparing retaliatory attack." She cautioned that any continued "malicious accusations and provocations" at the border could lead to an "unprecedented situation."

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the preliminary investigation results of the DMZ mine explosion at a press conference in Seoul on 28/9. *Yonhap*.

The MDL serves as the de facto border between the two Koreas, situated within the DMZ. This buffer zone, 4 km wide and 250 km long, is densely covered with minefields, barbed wire fences, and anti-tank traps. Despite its "demilitarized" name, it remains one of the world's most heavily armed areas, dividing South Korea and North Korea since the 1953 armistice agreement.

Seoul and Pyongyang technically remain in a state of war, and previous mine-related incidents have historically heightened tensions. In recent years, North Korean soldiers have reportedly crossed the MDL briefly and frequently, with approximately 17 instances in 2025. This occurred as Pyongyang fortified its border after leader Kim Jong-un declared bilateral relations "hostile" in late 2023. Last month, South Korea announced detecting North Korean soldiers crossing the MDL, prompting its units to fire warning shots in accordance with operational procedures. The North Korean personnel subsequently retreated back across the demarcation line.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters, Yonhap)