(LEAD) Defense minister vows 'corresponding measures' if DMZ blast confirmed caused by N.K. mines

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SEOUL, Sept. 28 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday that "appropriate, substantial and corresponding" measures would be taken if the recent explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is confirmed to have been caused by land mines planted by North Korea.

Kang made the remarks to reporters after meeting with Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), at the National Assembly. Reporters asked the minister how the government would respond if it is conclusively confirmed that the cause of the blast was land mines recently planted by North Korea.

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul speaks during his meeting with Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok at the National Assembly in Seoul on Sept. 28, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Two South Korean soldiers were severely wounded in last Monday's explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line inside the DMZ separating the two Koreas. The incident involved two separate blasts and is suspected to have been caused by North Korean land mines.

Kang was also asked about a media report that soldiers had said they saw a North Korean wooden-box land mine near the explosion site. He said, "There are also statements suggesting it was not a wooden-box land mine.

"It is difficult to determine the exact nature of the device. But as an on-site investigation is currently under way, we will provide a transparent explanation to the public as soon as the details are clarified," the minister said.

Regarding opposition criticism that the government seeks to downplay or cover up the incident, Kang said that the military had no intention of covering up anything and would handle the matter transparently.

"I want to reiterate that there was absolutely no intentional delay or cover-up."

In a text message to reporters, Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) said the parliamentary national defense committee agreed to hold a plenary session Tuesday to question relevant officials on the blast.

The DP and the PPP have been at loggerheads over how to handle the issue, with the DP proposing a joint inspection of the site and the PPP demanding a hearing by the defense committee.

DP members of the committee headed to the DMZ without their PPP colleagues earlier in the day.

Rep. Lim Jong-deuk, the committee's senior PPP member, told reporters his party accepted the DP's proposal for a hearing Tuesday.

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(LEAD) Defense minister vows 'corresponding measures' if DMZ blast confirmed caused by N.K. mines

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（注意：议会听证会计划已更新）

首尔，9月28日（韩联社）——韩国国防部长姜信哲周一表示，如果证实最近发生在非军事区（DMZ）内的爆炸是由朝鲜埋设的地雷引起的，将采取“适当、实质性和相应的”措施。

康在国会会见了主要反对党国民力量党（PPP）党首张东赫后，向记者发表了上述言论。记者询问康部长，如果最终确认爆炸原因是朝鲜近期埋设的地雷，政府将如何应对。

2026年9月28日，韩国国防部长姜信哲在首尔国会会见民主党总裁金珉锡时发表讲话。（联社照片）（韩联社）

上周一，在朝韩非军事区内，军事分界线以南发生爆炸，两名韩国士兵身受重伤。事件涉及两起独立的爆炸，据信是由朝鲜埋设的地雷引起的。

康还被问及媒体报道称士兵们说他们在爆炸地点附近看到了一枚朝鲜产的木箱地雷。他说：“也有说法表明那不是木箱地雷。”

“目前很难确定该装置的具体性质。但由于现场调查正在进行中，一旦细节查明，我们将立即向公众提供透明的解释，”部长说。

针对反对派批评政府试图淡化或掩盖事件，康表示，军方无意掩盖任何事情，并将以透明的方式处理此事。

“我想重申，绝对不存在任何故意拖延或掩盖的情况。”

执政党共同民主党议员金炳柱在发给记者的短信中表示，国会国防委员会同意于周二召开全体会议，就爆炸事件质询相关官员。

民主党和人民进步党在如何处理这个问题上一直争执不下，民主党提议对该地点进行联合检查，而人民进步党则要求国防委员会举行听证会。

当天早些时候，民主党委员会成员独自前往非军事区，而他们的人民进步党同事则没有同行。

人民进步党资深成员、该委员会成员林钟德议员告诉记者，他的政党接受了民主党提出的周二举行听证会的提议。

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（导语）国防部长誓言，若证实非军事区爆炸系朝鲜地雷所致，将采取“相应措施”