Jin Sung-joon, the chairman of the National Assembly Defense Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 29th regarding the explosion accident that occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), “There are aspects that make it difficult to definitively conclude that it was planted with the intention of harming our military.”
Chairman Jin stated this during a radio interview the same day, saying, “As North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, State Affairs, adopted a hostile dual-state policy, work has continued to designate the area near the so-called Military Demarcation Line (MDL) as a border and to fortify the area around that border.”
Chairman Jin, along with Democratic Party members of the National Assembly Defense Committee, visited the Demilitarized Zone under the jurisdiction of the Army’s 25th Division to inspect the on-site investigation into the suspected landmine explosion accident.
Chairman Jin said, “There is a possibility that landmines were planted as part of the border fortification work,” and added, “In that regard, North Korea’s responsibility is difficult to avoid, and I believe strong and resolute protest measures are necessary.” He continued, “However, immediately comparing this issue to the past wooden-box landmine incident and taking military countermeasures right away requires some caution,” and explained, “The 2015 wooden-box landmine incident involved North Korea crossing the Military Demarcation Line and planting landmines on our military’s search route communication gate with a clear intent to harm.”
He stated, “This incident requires further investigation, but the question of whether landmines were intentionally planted by crossing the MDL to harm our military is a different matter,” and added, “The area is originally one where our military does not conduct search operations. Therefore, there are aspects that make it difficult to conclusively determine that the landmines were planted with the intention of harming our military.”
Chairman Jin said, “The UN Command also states that offensive weapons or heavy weapons are not allowed in the Demilitarized Zone, but defensive facilities or weapons for defensive purposes are not considered violations of the Armistice Agreement,” and added, “If the purpose is defensive, caution is necessary in military responses.”
Regarding the question implying, “The military began the on-site investigation about a week after the accident,” he responded, “Depending on the situation, from North Korea’s perspective, they could claim that we invaded their MDL and even open fire. Therefore, after checking all safety conditions and implementing safety measures, we could finally proceed with the operation. I believe this explanation is valid.”
Regarding some criticisms of a “delayed investigation,” he stated, “There is no benefit for our military or government to delay clarifying the truth of this accident. What benefit would there be in delaying it?” and added, “Such claims are completely unfounded.”
Meanwhile, regarding President Lee Jae Myung’s ‘Korean Peninsula peace regime initiative’ announced in his UN General Assembly speech, Chairman Jin said, “The initiative proposes a step-by-step approach: first freezing further development, then conducting reduction negotiations to decrease it, and ultimately achieving denuclearization. This is a very realistic and pragmatic approach.”
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