Witness Testimony of Object Resembling Wooden Box Mine at DMZ Explosion Site

A soldier present at the scene of a suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the western front testified to having seen an object resembling a wooden box mine, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed on the 28th. The wooden box mine is a type of mine packed with explosives in a wooden case, used by the North Korean military but not by the South Korean military. Hwang Ju-bong, director of Operations 1 at the JCS (Army brigadier general), said at the Defense Ministry's regular briefing on the 28th that among the testimonies of soldiers involved in the path-clearing operation on the 21st, one stated that "the shape resembled a wooden box mine and the material appeared to be plastic." Another service member testified that they believed it to be a different type of mine. He also noted that there are several types of mines similar to the wooden box mine.

Director Hwang said that through the on-site investigation and analysis by the National Forensic Service, the cause and the type and shape of the mine would be thoroughly investigated, and confirmed facts would be explained transparently and objectively. The military authorities have requested the National Forensic Service to analyze the gear worn by the soldiers at the time of the accident, gauze used to collect explosive residue, and fragments removed during surgery, with the first analysis results expected to be reported on the day.

There has also been testimony that one more unexploded mine remained near the explosion site. Regarding this, Director Hwang said it cannot be concluded that each person's account is identical, and that whether there was one mine or two needs to be confirmed through the on-site investigation. When asked whether the mine that was seen was buried or exposed on the ground, he maintained that this also needs to be clearly confirmed through the site investigation.

The military authorities and the United Nations Command launched an on-site investigation on the 27th, five days after the accident, but were unable to reach the accident site. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, meeting with Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok on the day, said, "As soon as today's site investigation is completed, I will arrange a briefing." Additional investigation was reportedly underway on the day.