Land mine injures three South Korean officers in DMZ

Key facts

• A suspected land mine exploded in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Monday.
• Three South Korean military officers were injured in the explosion.
• One officer lost his ankle.
• The explosion occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the western sector of the DMZ.
• The incident happened during a route clearance operation ahead of a UN Command inspection.
• The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is investigating the cause, leaving all possibilities open, including North Korean land mines.

A suspected land mine exploded in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Monday during a route clearance operation, injuring three South Korean military officers, including one who lost his ankle. The explosion occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the western sector of the DMZ, which separates the two Koreas.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated that the incident took place during a military operation to clear a route in the DMZ ahead of an on-site inspection by the United Nations Command (UNC) scheduled for early next week. South Korean military authorities had previously noted terrain changes south of the DMZ and were consulting with the UNC about the possibility of North Korean troops planting land mines.

JCS spokesperson Jang Do-young told a press briefing that the explosion site was near the MDL and that an investigation would determine the exact location and cause once safety is secured. Approximately a dozen troops were using mine detectors at the time of the explosion. Military authorities are considering all possibilities for the cause, including the potential for North Korean land mines.

The two officers who sustained serious injuries were wearing protective gear and demining equipment. They have undergone surgery and are not in life-threatening condition. U.S. Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson extended his sympathies to the injured soldiers and their families via X, formerly Twitter, emphasizing the ROK-U.S. Alliance's support and appreciation for the sacrifices made by soldiers defending the Korean Peninsula.