Why did Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul say the DMZ blast violated the armistice agreement?

Kang said the explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone was a clear violation of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. He made the remark after the military said North Korean land mines were highly likely to have caused the blast.

What investigation is underway into the DMZ blast?

A joint survey team made up of South Korean military officials and the U.N. Command's Military Armistice Commission has been conducting an on-site inspection since Sunday. The military said the probe is aimed at determining whether North Korean land mines caused the Sept. 21 explosion.

Defense chief says DMZ blast 'clear' violation of armistice agreement

Q: How many South Korean soldiers were injured in the DMZ explosion and where did it happen?

Three South Korean soldiers were injured when the explosion went off south of the Military Demarcation Line inside the DMZ. A joint survey team has been inspecting the site to determine the cause.

Listen

Summary

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday that last week’s explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone was a clear violation of the armistice agreement. He said South Korea will take corresponding measures if the blast is confirmed to have been caused by North Korean land mines. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the blast south of the Military Demarcation Line, and a joint team is inspecting the site.

Key Facts

The South Korean military said Monday that North Korean land mines were highly likely to have caused the Sept. 21 blast.
The explosion took place south of the Military Demarcation Line inside the DMZ.
Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the incident.
A joint survey team of South Korean military officials and the U.N. Command's Military Armistice Commission has been inspecting the site since Sunday.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 29, 2026 4:48 pm KST

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul speaks during a plenary session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, over the recent land mine explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone. Yonhap

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday last week's explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), highly likely caused by North Korean land mines, is in "clear" violation of the armistice agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.

Kang made the remarks during a plenary session of the parliamentary defense committee, after the South Korean military announced Monday that North Korean landmines were "highly likely" the cause of the Sept. 21 blast.

"This is a clear violation of the armistice agreement," Shin said, in response to an opposition lawmaker pointing out the explosion was North Korea's blatant provocation and a breach of the armistice.

"As responsibility lies on North Korea, we will take corresponding measures, (if the blast is confirmed to have been caused by land mines planted by North Korean forces)," the minister said.

The explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line inside the DMZ separating the two Koreas left three South Korean soldiers injured.

A joint survey team, comprising South Korean military officials and the U.N. Command's Military Armistice Commission, has conducted an on-site inspection since Sunday to determine the cause of the blast.

Explore More