Three South Korean soldiers were injured in a suspected landmine explosion within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Monday. The incident occurred while members of the South Korean Army’s 25th Infantry Division were conducting operations in the area.
According to military officials, one of the three injured soldiers sustained serious injuries. All personnel were transported to a hospital for medical treatment. The specific circumstances surrounding the explosion remain under investigation, and it is currently unclear whether the landmine was planted by North or South Korean forces.
The DMZ, which serves as a buffer zone extending two kilometers on either side of the Military Demarcation Line, is considered one of the most heavily mined regions in the world. South Korean military data cited by Yonhap News TV estimates that approximately 800,000 landmines are buried in the area, many dating back to the Korean War.
Tensions along the border have remained high. Following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s 2024 designation of South Korea as the country’s primary enemy, North Korean forces have spent several months installing additional landmines and anti-tank barriers as part of efforts to permanently seal the border.
Article source: www.stheadline.com | Image credit: www.stheadline.com