DMZ landmine explosion injures South Korean soldiers near Paju

A landmine-suspected explosion occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near Paju, South Korea, during a mission to clear a new search route. The incident resulted in severe injuries, including a search battalion commander who suffered a severed ankle and a non-commissioned officer with fractures.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff is investigating three primary possibilities: intentional planting by North Korean forces south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), landmines washed down from North Korean territory via rivers, or the detonation of older mines previously laid by South Korean forces. While North Korean wooden mines are suspected due to the blast's intensity, the military is awaiting forensic results from debris and explosive residue.

The investigation has become a point of intense political contention. The Democratic Party has criticized the People Power Party for using the soldiers' sacrifices for political gain, arguing that the military must prioritize safety and thorough risk assessment before entering the area. Conversely, opposition members have raised concerns regarding potential evidence destruction and the delay of a joint field investigation with the United Nations Command (UNC). The UNC investigation has been postponed until after the Chuseok holiday to ensure sufficient safety measures are in place. There are also concerns that upcoming rainfall may wash away physical evidence at the site.