2 explosions occurred in DMZ blast; forensic analysis on mine fragments under way: military

Two explosions occurred during a suspected landmine blast inside the DMZ on Monday, injuring two South Korean soldiers, a military official said Wednesday. The blast happened south of the Military Demarcation Line while the troops were clearing a path for a U.N. Command inspection. Forensic analysis of mine fragments is under way to determine whether they were South or North Korean in origin. The two critically injured soldiers underwent surgery and are recovering.

A total of 18 personnel, including 15 officers and noncommissioned officers and three conscripts, were deployed for the mission.

The battalion commander suffered a severe ankle injury, and a noncommissioned officer sustained a leg fracture.

The military said the team was clearing a completely new route through waist-high grass while sweeping for mines.

Mine fragments collected from the scene are being analyzed, and preliminary findings are expected after next week.

Published Sep 23, 2026 7:12 pm KST

Updated Sep 23, 2026 7:14 pm KST

A military helicopter flies over the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily fortified border separating North and South Korea, Tuesday. Yonhap

Two consecutive explosions occurred in the suspected landmine blast that critically injured two South Korean soldiers inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) earlier this week, with forensic analysis under way into collected mine fragments, a military official said Wednesday.

Authorities are investigating Monday's blast that occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the DMZ separating the two Koreas, as speculation grows over potential North Korean involvement.

Military officials have confirmed that one battalion commander suffered a severe injury to his ankle, with a noncommissioned officer sustaining a leg fracture.

They were clearing a path for a U.N. Command (UNC) inspection on North Korea's suspected mine-laying activities, originally set for early next week.

"Two explosions occurred in total. Around 10:50 a.m., a staff sergeant was injured in the first blast, while the battalion commander was injured in a second blast that occurred when he approached the staff sergeant to administer first aid at the scene," a military official told reporters, citing initial statements from the soldiers.

A total of 18 personnel -- 15 officers and noncommissioned officers, and three conscripts -- had been deployed for the mission, including combat engineers.

According to initial statements, the blast occurred as the team was returning after completing a route-clearing operation that day.

Following the blasts, a rescue helicopter used a hoist to airlift the two wounded soldiers from inside the DMZ and transported them to a military hospital in Seongnam, just south of Seoul.

The other 16 personnel, including a third soldier who suffered a minor injury, moved on foot south of the general outpost fence for initial medical checks before being airlifted to the same hospital in eight separate helicopter flights, the official said.

The two critically injured soldiers underwent surgery and are recovering. Another soldier with minor injuries remains hospitalized, while the other 15 have been released following thorough medical evaluations.

Forensic analysis is under way on mine fragments collected from the scene to determine whether they were of South or North Korean origin, with the preliminary findings expected to be released after next week.

"We are keeping all possibilities open in our investigation and will take all necessary measures in response," the official said.

According to the soldiers' statements, the explosions occurred between the MDL and South Korea's forward fences, in an unspecified location closer to the heavily fortified border, another official said.

The official explained that the mission was clearing a completely new route through waist-high grass while sweeping for mines, suggesting difficulties in detecting buried mines along the way.

The soldiers who were deployed for the mission may have to go back to the site to assist the investigation, but the military will not rush the process to ensure the affected soldiers receive proper post-traumatic treatment first, the official noted.

"We also need them to complete all necessary rehearsals so that (the investigation) will not jeopardize our troops' safety," he said.

Asked if adequate safety measures were taken, the official said every soldier sent for the mission had worn protective suits and mine boots.

Addressing the lack of clear footage from the site, the official said that while two of the soldiers were equipped with body cameras, an initial analysis of the video mostly showed dense grass.

"We need to carry out an on-site investigation (to find out what exactly happened). We need to go back to the site near the MDL," he said.

Soon after the explosions occurred, the military notified the North Korean side via live broadcasts and also through the UNC channel, the official added.

一名军方官员周三表示，周一在非军事区内疑似发生地雷爆炸，造成两名韩国士兵受伤。爆炸发生在军事分界线以南，当时部队正在为联合国军司令部的视察清理道路。目前正在对地雷碎片进行法医分析，以确定其来源是韩国还是朝鲜。两名重伤士兵已接受手术，目前正在康复中。

此次任务共部署了 18 名人员，其中包括 15 名军官和士官以及 3 名义务兵。

营长脚踝严重受伤，一名士官腿部骨折。

军方表示，该小组正在齐腰高的草丛中清理一条全新的路线，同时还要排雷。

现场收集到的地雷碎片正在进行分析，初步结果预计下周后公布。

发布于2026年9月23日晚上7:12（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月23日晚上7:14（韩国标准时间）

周二，一架军用直升机飞越非军事区南侧，非军事区是分隔朝鲜和韩国的戒备森严的边界。（韩联社）

本周早些时候，在非军事区（DMZ）内发生的一起疑似地雷爆炸事件中，两名韩国士兵身受重伤。一名军方官员周三表示，爆炸发生两次，目前正在对收集到的地雷碎片进行法医分析。

当局正在调查周一发生在朝韩非军事区军事分界线（MDL）以南的爆炸事件，外界猜测朝鲜可能参与其中。

军方官员证实，一名营长脚踝严重受伤，一名士官腿部骨折。

他们正在为联合国军司令部（UNC）对朝鲜疑似布雷活动进行视察扫清障碍，视察原定于下周初进行。

“总共发生了两起爆炸。上午 10 点 50 分左右，一名士官在第一次爆炸中受伤；而当营长上前为受伤的士官提供急救时，发生了第二次爆炸，营长也因此受伤。”一位军方官员援引士兵们的初步陈述告诉记者。

此次任务共部署了 18 名人员——15 名军官和士官，以及 3 名义务兵——其中包括战斗工兵。

根据初步声明，爆炸发生在当天该小组完成道路清理行动返回途中。

爆炸发生后，一架救援直升机使用吊索将两名受伤士兵从非军事区内吊起，并将他们送往首尔以南城南市的一家军医院。

这位官员说，包括第三名受轻伤的士兵在内的其他 16 名人员徒步向总哨所围栏以南移动，进行初步医疗检查，然后分八架直升机空运到同一家医院。

两名重伤士兵已接受手术，目前正在康复中。另一名轻伤士兵仍在住院治疗，其余15名士兵在经过全面医疗评估后已出院。

目前正对从现场收集的地雷碎片进行法医分析，以确定它们是韩国还是朝鲜的，初步调查结果预计将于下周后公布。

“我们正在调查中保持一切可能性，并将采取一切必要的应对措施，”该官员表示。

另一名官员表示，根据士兵们的陈述，爆炸发生在军事分界线和韩国前沿围栏之间，具体地点靠近戒备森严的边境，但具体位置尚未确定。

该官员解释说，这项任务是在齐腰高的草丛中开辟一条全新的路线，同时还要排雷，这意味着沿途探测埋藏的地雷存在困难。

这位官员指出，参与此次任务的士兵可能需要返回现场协助调查，但军方不会仓促行事，以确保受影响的士兵首先得到适当的创伤后治疗。

“我们还需要他们完成所有必要的演练，以便（调查）不会危及我们部队的安全，”他说。

当被问及是否采取了足够的安全措施时，该官员表示，每名执行任务的士兵都穿上了防护服和防雷靴。

针对现场缺乏清晰影像的问题，该官员表示，虽然有两名士兵配备了随身摄像头，但对视频的初步分析显示，画面主要显示的是茂密的草地。

他说：“我们需要进行现场调查（以查明究竟发生了什么）。我们需要回到MDL附近的现场。”

该官员补充说，爆炸发生后不久，军方通过现场直播和联合国军广播电台频道通知了朝鲜方面。