Lee on landmine accident: "I hope there will be no unfounded conspiracy theories ... The truth must be uncovered through a thorough investigation"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung said on the 29th, regarding a landmine accident near the Military Demarcation Line, "I hope there will be no actions that endanger national security by fueling unfounded conspiracy theories."
President Lee made the remarks during his opening statement at the 42nd Cabinet meeting held at the main building of Cheong Wa Dae, saying, "There can be no division between the ruling and opposition parties when it comes to national security."
President Lee emphasized, "The military authorities must transparently uncover the truth about the incident through a swift and thorough investigation, based on close cooperation with the United Nations Command (UNC)." He added, "We will take the necessary measures based on the findings."
He also offered his condolences to the soldiers injured in the accident and their families. President Lee said, "Three soldiers suffered serious injuries in a landmine accident near the Military Demarcation Line last week," adding, "I extend my deepest condolences to the injured soldiers and their families and wish them a speedy recovery."
The accident occurred on the 21st in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) under the jurisdiction of the Army's 25th Infantry Division in Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, while soldiers were clearing a route for a search operation. Three military officers were injured, two of them seriously. The Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (ROK JCS) announced the previous day that an interim investigation had found it "highly likely" that the landmine was planted by North Korean forces.
The opposition parties have raised suspicions that the military delayed its investigation and announcement despite recognizing immediately after the accident that the landmine was likely planted by North Korean forces, out of consideration for President Lee's address to the United Nations General Assembly. In his keynote address to the United Nations General Assembly on the 22nd local time, President Lee expressed his vision for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and his willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea.
Cheong Wa Dae also stated in a press notice issued before the Cabinet meeting that "the military's field investigation into this landmine accident had absolutely nothing to do with the president's UN address." It explained, "The field investigation was planned and decided solely on the basis of military judgment by the ROK JCS and the UNC, taking into account recommendations from commanders at the scene."
[email protected] Seong Seok-woo Reporter