Military "Securing safety measures is the top priority... Field investigation team begins mission as soon as ready."

Military "Securing safety measures is the top priority... The field investigation team begins its mission as soon as it is ready."

Rain is forecast for most parts of the country during the holiday season... There is a risk of damage to the accident site near the river.

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Cheol-seon = The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 25th that Chairman Jin Young-seung of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the Army's 25th Division, where a suspected landmine explosion occurred recently in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the Western Front, and inspected preparations for the on-site investigation.

Chairman Jin evaluated the overall progress and checked the state of operational readiness with relevant commanders such as Army Ground Operations Command Commander Lee Sang-ryeol, Acting 1st Corps Commander, 25th Division Commander, and the 'Joint Field Investigation TF'.

Chairman Jin emphasized that in conducting a joint field investigation, command and control, communication, rehearsals, and safety measures should be carefully implemented to ensure a thorough investigation while ensuring the safety of our soldiers.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “The joint field investigation TF, headed by Deputy Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kwon Dae-won, is carrying out its mission even during the Chuseok holiday,” and added, “The field investigation team that will be deployed to the field is scheduled to begin its mission once preparations such as safety measures are completed.”

However, some are concerned that the situation at the accident site may be damaged due to rain falling in most parts of the country, including Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where the accident occurred during the Chuseok holiday.

In fact, there is a river near the area where the accident occurred, so there is a possibility that important evidence may be lost or land mines may be lost. It may be difficult to find the accident site itself due to changes in terrain.

Opposition parties, such as the People Power Party, which has raised the possibility of landmines being planted by the North Korean military, are demanding a quick on-site investigation for this reason, but military authorities are of the position that securing safety measures for soldiers participating in the on-site investigation is a priority as the accident site is a very dangerous area adjacent to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).

Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff refuted the claim that 'our military delayed the UNC's request for an investigation' as being untrue.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained, "From the beginning of the situation, our military and the UNC have been preparing for a joint field investigation, agreeing that securing safety measures in advance should be a top priority," and added, "The UNC Military Command visited the 25th Division on the 22nd to confirm the explosion situation and related details, and cooperated with our military on matters related to the joint field investigation."