Audit grills unification, defense ministers over North Korean mine explosions in DMZ

South Korea's handling of North Korean mines in the Demilitarized Zone sparked heated exchanges at parliamentary audits Wednesday, with an opposition lawmaker calling the mine-clearing operation "idiotic" while Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul denied accusations of a weak response to North Korean border violations.

The controversy centered on two explosions on Sept. 21 that seriously injured three South Korean military personnel and the government's subsequent response, including the military's removal Monday of a North Korean minefield found south of the Military Demarcation Line.

Kang, speaking during the National Assembly National Defense Committee's audit at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Seoul, said the military was responding firmly to repeated North Korean crossings of the MDL and would maintain operational control in the area.

He also said there were "several" other areas south of the MDL where North Korean mines may have been planted. Asked by People Power Party Rep. Yu Yong-weon whether hundreds of North Korean mines could remain south of the boundary, Kang said the military believed that could be the case.

"We plan to conduct joint investigations with the UNC, clearly establish the facts and then continue taking necessary measures," Kang said, referring to the US-led United Nations Command.

Kang also rejected North Korea's claim Tuesday that Seoul had staged the mine incident, saying Pyongyang appeared to have been "considerably taken aback" by South Korea's response.

The ministry said it would conduct joint investigations with the UNC into North Korean MDL crossings, seek to formally establish Armistice Agreement violations and notify Pyongyang while demanding restorative measures.

During the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit at the Unification Ministry headquarters in Seoul, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young described the Sept. 21 incident as an "unfortunate accident."

People Power Party Rep. Park Chung-kwon, himself a North Korean defector, criticized that characterization and called the military's decision to clear the North Korean minefield "idiotic," saying its removal was North Korea's responsibility.

Chung pushed back, saying that the military had done what was necessary to secure safety.

Asked by Park whether the explosions were an accident or a North Korean provocation, Chung said Pyongyang's intent had yet to be conclusively determined.

"There has not yet been a final announcement regarding intent, and basically it is currently defined as an explosion accident," Chung said. "It is still being verified."

The exchanges underscored a distinction at the center of the dispute: A joint investigation by the South Korean military and the UNC concluded that North Korean anti-personnel mines had been deliberately emplaced south of the MDL, but the government has not concluded that Pyongyang planted them specifically to inflict casualties on South Korean troops.

The audit also saw a clash over the ministry's use of the term "bukhyangmin," roughly meaning "people whose hometown is in the North," for North Korean defectors, rather than the usual "talbukmin," meaning escapees from the North.

Park said he felt insulted by the term and told Chung that if he continued using it, he would call the minister "Buk Dong-young," likening him to a North Korean spokesperson.

Beyond the mine issue, Reform Party Floor Leader Rep. Cheon Ha-ram highlighted potential security vulnerabilities involving connected electronic devices by appearing at the audit wearing smart glasses and revealing that he was recording video during the Defense Ministry hearing.

Cheon also said he had entered the Defense Ministry compound in a Chinese-made BYD electric vehicle, which comes with multiple cameras and cellular connectivity. Kang acknowledged there were currently no regulations specifically restricting such vehicles from entering military installations and said safeguards needed to be strengthened.

Lawmakers also questioned Kang over preparations for South Korea's planned nuclear-powered submarine program. People Power Party Rep. Yoo Young-ha raised concerns about a shortage of specialists needed to build, maintain and operate the vessels.

"Thousands are needed, but right now we have only hundreds," Kang said, adding that the military would prepare personnel, education and training programs ahead of the submarines' introduction.

On the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea, the Defense Ministry said it would push to complete a Full Operational Capability assessment of the future Combined Forces Command at this year's Security Consultative Meeting and use the process to determine the timing of the transfer.

Under the envisioned future command structure, a South Korean four-star general would lead combined operations, with a US general serving as deputy commander.

Wednesday marked the second day of South Korea's annual parliamentary audit, which runs through Oct. 27.