What did President Lee Jae Myung say about the DMZ mine blast and the investigation?

Lee called for a swift, thorough probe with close cooperation from the U.N. Command and said the military should transparently reveal the truth behind the case. He added that necessary measures would be taken based on the results.

Why did the mine blast in the DMZ draw attention from South Korea's military and the U.N. Command?

The blast happened during a route-clearing operation for a joint inspection meant to verify suspicions that North Korea had illegally buried land mines across the border. The military had already said preliminary findings pointed to North Korean mines.

What other security and policy messages did Lee give during the Cabinet meeting?

Lee warned against spreading groundless conspiracy theories and said national security should not be divided along party lines. He also stressed a self-reliant defense system, ordered faster work on nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic missiles, and told ministries to turn his U.S. and Mexico trip into tangible national gains.

Lee calls for thorough probe of mine blast, vows necessary measures

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a swift and thorough investigation into a mine blast in the DMZ that injured three South Korean soldiers last week. He said the military must work closely with the U.N. Command and that necessary measures will follow the findings. Lee also warned against groundless conspiracy theories and said there can be no divide between ruling and opposition parties on national security.

Key Facts

The explosion occurred last Monday during a route-clearing operation for a joint inspection by the South Korean military and the U.N. Command.
The military announced preliminary findings a day before Lee spoke, saying the blast likely had been caused by North Korean mines.
Lee said the injured soldiers sustained serious injuries and offered consolation to them and their families.
He ordered efforts to accelerate the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic missiles.
Lee also asked ministries to ensure his recent trips to the United States and Mexico produce tangible gains for the national interest.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 29, 2026 10:44 am KST
Updated Sep 29, 2026 11:36 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a thorough investigation into a mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last week, saying he will take necessary measures in line with the results.

Lee made the remark during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, a day after the military announced preliminary findings that the explosion likely had been caused by North Korean mines.

"The military authorities must transparently reveal the truth behind the case by carrying out a swift and thorough investigation in close cooperation with the U.N. Command (UNC)," he said. "In accordance with that truth, we will take necessary measures."

The explosion occurred last Monday during an operation to clear a path for a joint inspection by the South Korean military and the UNC to verify Seoul's suspicions that Pyongyang illegally buried land mines across the border in violation of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.

Lee had wished the injured troops a swift recovery in a message on his social media account shortly after the incident but it marked the first time the president addressed the issue publicly.

"Three soldiers sustained serious injuries due to the mine accident," he said. "I offer my deep consolation to the injured soldiers and their families, and wish them a full recovery."

He further cautioned against spreading "groundless conspiracy theories" regarding the incident, saying there can be no divide between the ruling and opposition parties when it comes to matters of national security.

He also stressed the importance of building up a self-reliant defense system based on advanced weaponry, and ordered the acceleration of efforts to construct nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic missiles.

Touching on his trip to the United States and Mexico last week, he asked relevant ministries to make every effort to ensure the results of the visit lead to tangible gains for the national interest.

Turning to domestic issues, he vowed to improve housing, jobs and financial services for low-income households as his top three social policies.

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