Kang Shin-chul: "Commensurate measures if a North Korean mine is confirmed"... Military signals response to DMZ accident

[Financial News] If it is ultimately confirmed that the recent explosion in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was caused by a mine laid by North Korea, the military plans to take corresponding action. Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul said on the 28th, "An appropriate, substantial, and commensurate response and measures are needed, and we will proceed accordingly."
After meeting People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea that day, Kang Shin-chul told reporters that the military would respond accordingly if the cause of the accident was confirmed to be a mine recently laid by North Korea.
Asked about a media report claiming that soldiers at the scene had seen a North Korean wooden-box mine, he said it was still difficult to identify the type of mine. Kang Shin-chul said, "There are also statements that it was not a wooden-box mine. So there are aspects that make it difficult to determine the type. Since an on-site investigation is being conducted today, we will explain the findings transparently to the public as soon as they are organized, as quickly as possible."
Asked who had decided on the on-site investigation, originally scheduled for the 29th, he explained that the United Nations Command (UNC), the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and the unit at the scene had jointly assessed the situation and made the decision. Kang Shin-chul said, "The on-site investigation is being conducted after the UNC, the JCS, and the unit at the scene all assess the situation. I will also make sure that we provide an accurate briefing on that matter today."
He denied opposition allegations that the accident had been downplayed or concealed, as well as criticism of the delayed response. Kang Shin-chul said, "That is not the case. How could the military conceal anything? We will proceed transparently. I want to reiterate that there was absolutely no deliberate delay or concealment."
[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter