Defense chief says mine-removal operation a 'decisive' response against N. Korea

SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday the mine-...

Yonhap NewsKim Hyun-soo2026-10-06 11:05查看原文 ↗

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul delivers a welcoming speech during the 78th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the military headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province, on Oct. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

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SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday the mine-clearing operation conducted at the site of a recent blast inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was a "decisive" response against North Korea, noting it marked the first such mission inside the buffer zone between the two Koreas.

Kang made the remarks a day after the South Korean military announced the final result of a joint investigation with the U.N. Command (UNC) into the Sept. 21 mine blast that left three South Korean soldiers injured.

The joint probe concluded that antipersonnel mines deliberately planted by North Korean troops south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) were the cause of the explosion.

"(Such a mine-clearing operation) is unprecedented in history," Kang told reporters at the defense ministry compound. "I believe (the operation) was a decisive response (on our side)," he added.

The defense chief brushed aside allegations that the South Korean military's response was too "passive" and "defensive," saying it had taken necessary measures by removing the land mines from the DMZ on Monday.

"Our comrades were severely wounded by the land mines buried by North Korea under the pretext of border fortification while conducting a legitimate operation," he said. "This is why our military has taken the necessary steps the previous day," he added.

Kang also reiterated his earlier claims that all responsibility for the recent mine blast lies with North Korea, noting the South Korean military will respond to any activities that threaten the country's national security in a "decisive" manner.

Asked about potential follow-up measures, the defense chief said the country will continue to take the necessary steps, without elaborating.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the UNC earlier identified additional mines at and near the site of the recent blast and conducted an operation to remove the North Korean land mines the previous day.

The JCS said it removed the minefield south of the MDL at around 12:51 p.m. Monday.

The military vowed to continue mine-removal operations in the area if North Korea refuses to voluntarily remove its mines planted there.

North Korea has denied responsibility for the recent explosions inside the DMZ.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has dismissed Seoul's findings as a fabrication and warned of retaliation if South Korea takes corresponding action.

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul delivers a welcoming speech during the 78th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the military headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province, on Oct. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

sookim@yna.co.kr (END)

(2nd LD) S. Korean military concludes N.K.-planted mines caused DMZ blast

(LEAD) S. Korean military says N. Korean mines in DMZ blast 'planted' south of border

S. Korean military launches operation to remove N. Korean mines at recent DMZ blast site

Defense chief says mine-removal operation a 'decisive' response against N. Korea

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

首尔，10月6日（韩联社）——韩国国防部长姜信哲周二表示，在非军事区（DMZ）内最近发生的爆炸现场进行的排雷行动是对朝鲜的“果断”回应，并指出这是首次在朝韩缓冲区内执行此类任务。

康发表上述言论的前一天，韩国军方宣布了与联合国军司令部 (UNC) 联合调查 9 月 21 日地雷爆炸事件的最终结果，该事件导致三名韩国士兵受伤。

联合调查得出结论，爆炸是由朝鲜军队故意埋设在军事分界线（MDL）以南的杀伤人员地雷引起的。

康在国防部大院对记者说：“（这样的排雷行动）在历史上是前所未有的。”他补充说：“我相信（这次行动）是我们（这边）果断的回应。”

国防部长驳斥了有关韩国军方反应过于“被动”和“防御性”的指控，称韩国军方已采取必要措施，于周一清除了非军事区内的地雷。

他说：“我们的战友在执行合法任务时，被朝鲜以加强边境防御为借口埋设的地雷严重炸伤。正因如此，我军前一天才采取了必要的措施。”