North Korea rejects South Korean account of mine explosion and threatens retaliation

North Korea has rejected the South Korean account of a mine explosion that injured three soldiers and threatened retaliation in the event of an escalation. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of ruler Kim Jong Un, described South Korea's military leadership as "military gangsters" and the results of its investigations as a "staged conspiracy farce".

She was referring to a statement by the South Korean General Staff that an explosion on September 21st in the southern border area of ​​the inter-Korean border was most likely triggered by a North Korean landmine. Two South Korean soldiers were seriously injured and another was slightly injured. On Monday, Defense Minister Kang Shin Chul also said it was believed the landmine was planted by North Korea and most likely was not carried to the explosion site by rainfall. According to Kang, this is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries as the mines were placed south of the military demarcation line.

North Korea says it will retaliate in the event of an escalation

In a statement carried by the state news agency KCNA, Kim Yo Jong denied that North Korean soldiers had ever crossed the border between the two countries. She also warned that North Korea would retaliate “immediately and mercilessly” if the South Korean military fired on North Korean soldiers.

North Korea has significantly strengthened its border security since 2024. According to the South Korean military, Pyongyang has, among other things, laid landmines, reinforced barbed wire fences and set up anti-tank barriers.

North and South Korea have remained formally at war since the end of the Korean War (1950-53) as no peace treaty has yet been signed. Tensions on the Korean peninsula have increased significantly again in recent years.