Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung visited soldiers injured by land mines in the DMZ.
- The land mine explosions occurred on September 21, wounding three soldiers.
- A joint investigation attributed the explosions to North Korean forces.
- President Lee pledged full support for treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation for the wounded soldiers.
- The visit took place without media attendance to respect the soldiers' families.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited soldiers who were injured by land mines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last week, pledging full support for their recovery and compensation. The visit, which occurred on Wednesday, September 30, aimed to offer comfort to the soldiers and their families.
Two mine explosions on September 21 in the military buffer zone between North and South Korea resulted in three soldiers being wounded, two of them seriously. A joint investigation by the South Korean military and the United Nations Command (UNC) concluded that North Korean forces were responsible for planting the mines, a finding the UNC described as a violation of the Korean War armistice. However, Kim Yo-jong, a prominent North Korean official, dismissed the investigation's outcome, accusing Seoul of fabricating the results.
During his visit to the military hospital, President Lee encouraged the soldiers to focus on their recovery and promised comprehensive support for their medical treatment, rehabilitation, and continued military service. He specifically instructed officials to ensure that the wounded soldiers receive due compensation, emphasizing its importance for the morale of the armed forces. The president also directed a review of assistance measures for the soldiers and their families. The visit was conducted without media presence out of consideration for the soldiers' young children.