North Korean mines caused DMZ blast injuring South Korean personnel, says defence minister

South Korea’s defence minister said on Tuesday North Korean mines caused a blast last week that injured two South Korean personnel in the demilitarised zone (DMZ), adding that the incident violated the Korean war armistice agreement and warranted a response against Pyongyang.

Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul told a parliamentary committee that the mines were North Korean and appeared to have been planted in the area as part of North Korea’s border fortification work near the military demarcation line that bisects the DMZ.

“The responsibility lies with North Korea, so we will take corresponding measures,” Kang said, adding the military had response options available and would implement them in stages while declining to elaborate.

Kang said the intent in question was whether North Korea had emplaced the mines knowing South Korean troops could enter the area and suffer harm.