Lee Jae Myung Administration Faces 'Dilemma' Over Revising North Korea Policy... Tentative Conclusion: Mine Explosion in Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Was a North Korean Act

[Financial News] An investigation by the South Korean military has found that a suspected mine explosion in the western sector of the DMZ was highly likely to have been caused by North Korea, raising signs that inter-Korean relations could rapidly deteriorate.
Kwon Dae-won, deputy chief of the ROK JCS, said at an emergency briefing on the 28th, "We have determined that the cause of the mine explosion was highly likely to have been a mine belonging to the North Korean military." He also warned, "If the final investigation determines that the cause of the damage to our military was a mine planted by the North Korean military, all responsibility will lie with North Korea, and our military will take appropriate and commensurate measures."
Kwon said, "Considering the accounts of operational personnel regarding the flames at the time of the explosion and the extent of the injuries, the cause is presumed not to have been a mine belonging to our forces." He added, "Based on those accounts, it is presumed to have been a brown resin antipersonnel mine similar to a North Korean wooden-box mine." Two mines exploded, and one additional unexploded mine was also discovered, bringing the estimated total to three.
Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol also told reporters after meeting with ruling and opposition party leaders the previous day, "If it is confirmed to be a mine planted by North Korea, we will take appropriate and commensurate measures." The government is expected to consider issuing a statement on North Korea, strengthening its vigilance, surveillance, and observation posture, and notifying and protesting North Korea through the United Nations Command (UNC).
However, high-intensity measures such as resuming loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea, which were used in response to North Korea's wooden-box mine provocation in 2015, are not expected to even be placed under internal review at this time.
The National Defense Committee of the National Assembly will hold an emergency inquiry into current issues related to the DMZ explosion incident on the afternoon of the 29th. Kang is expected to appear before the committee and report on the cause of the incident, the initial response, the progress of the investigation, and future response measures. Opposition lawmakers, in particular, are expected to raise questions about the claim that the incident was an act of North Korea, as well as suspicions regarding whether it was deliberate.
The ruling and opposition parties are likely to clash over whether the military responded appropriately, the scope of information disclosed, and the level of measures to be taken against North Korea.
If the final conclusion is that North Korea was responsible, pressure will inevitably grow on the Lee Jae Myung administration to revise its pro-North Korea policy.
Concerns about a military clash are also emerging as hardliners within the military signal that a corresponding response against North Korea is forthcoming.
However, with President Lee Jae Myung having outlined his vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula at the United Nations General Assembly, he could find himself in a dilemma because it would be difficult to immediately use high-intensity measures.
The People Power Party immediately criticized Cheong Wa Dae for remaining silent after the military announcement. The Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement the previous day, immediately after the ROK JCS announcement, saying it would respond resolutely to any act that threatens South Korea's security. Cheong Wa Dae, however, did not immediately issue a position.
The People Power Party criticized Cheong Wa Dae, saying that amid a grave security crisis, the office of the commander in chief was in 'mute' mode.
Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said, "While the military was announcing this important matter, President Lee Jae Myung was leisurely posting a message rebutting Kim Ou-joon's claims." He added, "The president who should be fighting Kim Jong Un is too busy fighting 'Munjo Teollaeyu.'"


[email protected] Kim Gyeong-su Reporter