JCS-DMZ explosion

▲ This map shows the site of where a suspected land mine explosion occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the western sector of the DMZ separating the two Koreas on Sept. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

By Kim Hyun-soo

SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- A suspected land mine explosion at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) occurred earlier this week during the military's route clearance operation to look into a potential minefield that might have been created by North Korean troops, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the western sector of the DMZ, separating the two Koreas, on Monday, leaving three military officers injured, including one who lost his ankle.

The JCS said the explosion took place during a military operation to clear a route in the DMZ ahead of an on-site inspection by the United Nations Command (UNC) set for early next week.

The South Korean military earlier said it had identified some terrain changes in some parts south of the MDL and was in consultations with the UNC over the possibility that North Korean troops may have planted land mines.

"The site of the explosion was near the MDL," JCS spokesperson Jang Do-young told a press briefing.

"We plan to determine the exact location and cause of the explosion through an on-site inspection, once safety is secured, in coordination with the UNC," he said.

A dozen troops were conducting the route clearance mission using mine detectors at the time of the suspected land mine explosion, Jang explained.

Military authorities said they are investigating the cause of the explosion, leaving "all possibilities open," including the possibility that the North Korean troops buried land mines.

The two officers who sustained serious wounds were wearing protective clothing and demining gear at the time of the incident, the JCS said. They underwent surgery and are in no life-threatening condition.

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