South Korea demanded an apology from North Korea after a landmine blast injured three of its soldiers on September 21 during a search operation near the inter-Korean border.
Kang Hyun-woo, director of operations at South Korea's joint chiefs of staff, said the three soldiers were hurt by North Korean mines located on the southern side of the border. He called for Pyongyang to issue an apology and take "responsible measures" in response to the incident.
The blast occurred during a search operation conducted south of the border. South Korea contended that North Korean mines, positioned on South Korean territory, caused the injuries.
The incident adds tension to the peninsula at a moment when diplomatic channels between the two countries face renewed attempts at engagement. The timing complicates efforts to restart dialogue, as military incidents along the heavily fortified border have historically triggered cycles of escalation and diplomatic setbacks. The two countries remain technically at war, bound only by a 1953 armistice that halted active fighting in the Korean War.
North Korea has not yet publicly responded to the South Korean demand for an apology. Incidents involving mines or other weapons systems near the demilitarized zone occur periodically and often spark diplomatic protests, though they rarely lead to direct negotiations or formal resolutions between Seoul and Pyongyang.
The nature and exact location of the mines remain subjects that could be disputed. Both countries routinely accuse each other of military provocations and violations of the armistice agreement, creating overlapping claims about responsibility for incidents along the border.