DMZ landmine blasts raise tension as Pyongyang calls nukes irreversible

The DMZ landmine blasts last week have put the Korean border back in the headlines. South Korea’s military says North Korean mines are the highly likely cause.

Three South Korean soldiers were wounded during a clearing operation, The Korea Herald reports. Two were seriously hurt. Euronews adds that one soldier lost a foot. Outlets differ on whether the blast came on 21 or 22 September.

What investigators found in the DMZ landmine blasts

The blast happened about ten metres south of the Military Demarcation Line. Forensic tests found traces of TNT and synthetic material. Lt. Gen. Kwon Dae-won said these match North Korean anti-personnel mines with plastic casings.

On Tuesday, officials found an unexploded plastic mine near the site. That strengthened the case. A joint investigation with the UN Command continues, and final results are still to come.

Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul called the incident a clear violation of the armistice. He said Seoul will take corresponding measures in stages. No details were given. SBS News reports that lawmakers planned emergency questioning of the defence ministry.

Pyongyang’s message at the UN

The timing is striking. On 28 September, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong addressed the UN General Assembly. UN News reports he called his country’s nuclear status permanent. He framed the arsenal as a shield for sovereignty.

He also criticised joint military drills in Northeast Asia and Japan’s military build-up. The Korea Times quotes him saying the status cannot be reversed in any circumstances.

Nothing yet proves that Pyongyang placed the mines on purpose. The final probe will decide that. Old minefields can also shift in floods. But the armistice rules are clear, and both sides know it.

Diplomacy looks thin. Talks on denuclearisation are stalled, and each side blames the other. Border incidents like this one can escalate quickly if mistakes follow. For regional context, see our report on the Xi–Washington trade truce.

Fact basis: The Korea Herald, Euronews, SBS News, The Korea Times (29 Sept 2026); UN News (28 Sept 2026). The cause of the blasts is not yet formally confirmed.