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North Korea intensifies DMZ fortification with nearly 1 million new mines
South Korean military authorities have reported that North Korea has laid an estimated 960,000 land mines in and around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) since 2024. This activity is part of a broader border fortification campaign following Pyongyang's decision to redefine inter-Korean relations as those between two hostile states.
In addition to laying mines, North Korean troops have been clearing vegetation to create buffer strips, constructing barriers and barbed-wire fences, building tactical roads, and severing historical road and rail links along the Gyeongui and Donghae lines. Experts and South Korean officials, including Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, estimate that the total number of land mines currently buried in the DMZ is approximately 2 million, which includes mines planted by South Korean forces.
The increased fortification has heightened the risk of military incidents. On September 21, three South Korean soldiers were injured by a North Korean mine explosion near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). While South Korean and UN Command investigations concluded the explosion was caused by North Korean anti-personnel mines, Pyongyang has denied responsibility and accused Seoul of fabricating the findings.
Entities
Chung Dong-young · Demilitarized Zone · Kim Jong Un · Kim Yo-jong · North Korea · North Korea · South Korea · South Korea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] North Korea has severed road and rail links along the Gyeongui and Donghae lines. www.hani.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] North Korea has laid an estimated 960,000 land mines in the DMZ since 2024. www.rtl.de · www.hani.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com · www.n-tv.de · www.elbalad.news · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Three South Korean soldiers were injured by a North Korean mine explosion on September 21. www.rtl.de · www.koreaherald.com · www.n-tv.de · sana.sy
- [● 2 SOURCES] North Korean troops have been clearing vegetation to create buffer strips. www.hani.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] There are approximately 2 million land mines currently buried in the DMZ. www.rtl.de · www.hani.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com · www.n-tv.de · sana.sy
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kim Jong Un declared South Korea the 'main enemy' in late 2023. www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.hani.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com