DMZ blast probe investigates North Korea land mine lead

South Korean military investigators are focusing on the theory that the blast that injured three military officers near the inter-Korean border may have been caused by North Korean land mines.

According to a high-ranking military official involved in the investigation, as disclosed in a briefing to lawmakers, witness statements point to one or more North Korean devices in the incident on Sept. 21.

The official, however, said that further investigation is needed to determine when the potential land mine could have been placed, adding confirmation is expected after both the National Forensic Service and on-site investigation are complete. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the outcome of a forensic analysis of debris collected from the injured officers is expected no later than Tuesday.

He added that witnesses' statements indicated that the object of the explosives "resembled a wooden-box mine in shape but appeared to be made of plastic."

"We cannot definitively classify it as a standard wooden-box mine," the official also said.

The remarks came as members of the National Defense Committee from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the minor Reform Party ― led by the committee's chair, Rep. Jin Sung-joon of the Democratic Party ― were briefed by the JCS in the DMZ on Monday.

Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party called for a thorough investigation and stern response.

"If it is confirmed that the damage was caused by a North Korean mine, we will ensure a firm and appropriate response. We are committed to a complete investigation," Kim said.

He also called for an increased budget to prevent a recurrence of the "unfortunate accident" with the deployment of uncrewed mine-detection systems.

In a separate briefing, Army Brig. Gen. Hwang Ju-bong, chief of the Ground Operation Division at the JCS, told reporters there were statements from witnesses that what exploded at the time "resembled that of the wooden-box (mine)," adding the witnesses were trained military personnel who could discern South Korean-made ordnances from others.

A statement also indicated that not all such objects at the scene had exploded, although an onsite probe had not yet confirmed this, according to Hwang.

Earlier on the same day, leaders of South Korea's two main parties urged Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul to carry out a thorough investigation into the two successive blasts.

The urging came as chairs of both parties at the National Assembly on Monday received Kang, who assumed office as defense minister on Sept. 22, a day after the three military officers were injured.

Rep. Kim Min-seok, chair of the ruling party, called for a "thorough and transparent" investigation.

"I hope for a thorough and transparent investigation for the sake of national security and the safety of our troops and the military," he told Kang.

People Power Party Chair Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, meanwhile, used his meeting with Kang to condemn the Lee Jae Myung administration's failure to immediately launch a joint probe with the United Nations Command to investigate the explosion, as well as the administration's unrelated move to merge military academies.

Jang stressed that the explosions "cannot be tolerated" if the cause was found to be a North Korean-made land mine, which would thereby constitute an act of provocation.

Labeling Lee as "incapable of ensuring South Korea's national security," Jang called on Kang to "stand up" to the administration.

"The last chance to safeguard South Korea from the national security crisis rests on the shoulders of the defense minister," Jang said. "The minister must be willing to stand up to the president and answer people's call, even at the risk of losing (his) position."

Kang said in response that he would work to build a victorious military that is "ruthless toward the enemy and beloved by the people."

Rep. Park Sung-hoon of the People Power Party told reporters after Jang's meeting with Kang behind closed doors that the investigation to reveal the truth behind the DMZ incident must be thoroughly conducted.