[Editorial] Show resolve

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday the demining operation at the site of two mine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone was “the first such operation in the history of our DMZ,” calling it “a firm response.”

When reporters pointed out that the military’s response had been passive and defensive, he reportedly rejected the criticism, saying, “That’s not the case.” But his remarks fall short of public expectations.

North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line and planted mines on South Korean territory, seriously injuring South Korean soldiers carrying out a legitimate operation. This was an unmistakable act of military provocation and a violation of the Armistice Agreement. The South Korean military’s final investigation concluded that the explosions resulted from North Korea’s deliberate laying of mines in the area.

On Monday, as it announced its findings, the South Korean military detonated and removed North Korean mines buried around the accident site. It was South Korea’s first concrete response to the provocation. Military authorities said they would continue demining operations in the DMZ unless North Korea voluntarily removed the mines it planted south of the MDL.

The mines obviously need to be removed, but few South Koreans would consider it a firm response for our military to shoulder the costs and risks of doing so.

The area south of the MDL is South Korean territory. Removing mines North Korea planted there is not a show of resolve; it is a basic duty of the military and a minimum safety measure.

On Tuesday, the day after the demining operation began, North Korea warned that it would take “immediate and strong action” if South Korea encroached “even 1 millimeter into North Korean territory.” North Korea is saying what South Korea should be saying. While Seoul demands an apology and voluntary mine removal, it has refrained from using equally strong language. To the public, South Korea’s response appears weak and passive despite being the victim.

While saying that North Korea bears "all responsibility,” Minister Kang was tight-lipped about further measures, saying, “We will continue to take the necessary measures, but I cannot discuss them.” He also proposed talks with the North Korean military to verify the location of the MDL. It is questionable whether he has concrete follow-up plans or the resolve to mount a strong response.

Far from apologizing for the mine explosions, North Korea mocked South Korea, calling the incident a “self-staged clown show” aimed at opening dialogue, and went so far as to carry out a missile provocation. Its mockery and hard-line response are predictable consequences of a South Korean government that has continued to look for an opening for dialogue.

South Korea can deter North Korean provocations to some extent by making the North pay a price for encroaching on its territory while avoiding deliberate armed conflict. It should consider every available means, including propaganda broadcasts by radio and loudspeakers, unilateral sanctions against North Korea’s cyber activities, and diplomatic pressure.

President Lee Jae Myung did not mention the mine explosions at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

Eight months ago, Lee wrote on social media about transnational scam crimes in Cambodia: “Mess with a South Korean and you’ll be ruined. South Korea means what it says. To the very end.” Yet when it comes to North Korea, he shows no such resolve to protect South Korean people.

The president refers to the mine explosions as an “unforeseen accident,” as if it were a traffic accident, while the defense minister calls it a “firm response” for South Korea to remove the mines if North Korea refuses to do so voluntarily. Some commanders were also found to have made frontline troops stand guard without magazines loaded in their rifles, apparently fearing that firearm accidents could jeopardize their promotions.

Can this kind of response and level of military discipline deter North Korean provocations?