UN Command Rules North Korea DMZ Mine Blast an Armistice Violation as Kim Yo Jong Threatens Retaliation

SEOUL — The United Nations Command has formally determined that a mine explosion that wounded three South Korean soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone constituted a violation of the Korean War armistice, escalating a dispute that Pyongyang is calling a “farce”.

The September 21 blast struck a reconnaissance team inside the 4-kilometre-wide DMZ, leaving two of the three soldiers seriously wounded, according to Reuters. A joint investigation by the UN Command and the South Korean military found another live North Korean anti-personnel mine on the South Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line. “Based on the findings of the investigation, UNC determined that an Armistice Agreement violation occurred,” the command said on Wednesday, adding that it was addressing the breach through established armistice mechanisms.

North Korea rejected the findings outright. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, accused Seoul of fabricating evidence in a statement carried by state media KCNA: “It is too low and dirty as befitting the tribes of South Korea… Such a farce is by no means new.” She warned that the South would “pay a price” and said the North would retaliate if Seoul opened fire on its troops.

South Korea’s defence minister said on Tuesday that North Korean mines had caused the blast and that Seoul would take “corresponding” action. President Lee Jae Myung visited the injured soldiers on Wednesday and pledged full support for their treatment and recovery.

Sources

Reuters — North Korea says South Korea to pay a price for shifting blame for mine blast, KCNA says

Korea JoongAng Daily — Kim Yo-jong denies North Korea role in DMZ mine blast, threatens retaliation