South Korea accuses North Korea of violating the armistice after the discovery of an anti-personnel mine in the demilitarized zone

South Korea accuses North Korea of a blatant violation of the 1953 armistice agreement after the discovery of a North Korean anti-personnel mine in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), following an incident that occurred last week. South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said that Pyongyang bears full responsibility and that Seoul will take appropriate measures. Three South Korean soldiers were injured.

The mine, made of plastic and left unexploded, was discovered on Tuesday by investigators while South Korean troops were surveying the terrain ahead of a joint operation with the United Nations Command. The mission aimed to assess the terrain modifications carried out by North Korean forces south of the Military Demarcation Line.

South Korean officials explained that dense vegetation made it difficult to use metal detectors during clearance operations. The mine's discovery heightened tensions at the border, where Pyongyang has, since 2024, begun laying mines and building anti-tank barriers after designating South Korea as its “primary enemy.”

A similar precedent dates back to 2015, when two South Korean servicemen were seriously injured by a mine on the southern side of the DMZ. Seoul accused Pyongyang at the time, while Pyongyang denied responsibility.