Lawmakers to Scrutinize DMZ Mine Explosion on Day 2 of National Assembly Audits

On October 7, the second day of the National Assembly's government audits, in which the legislature reviews the work of government agencies, hearings will be held across multiple ministries, including the Defense Ministry, the Unification Ministry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Election Commission. The National Defense Committee and the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee will separately question the Defense Ministry and the Unification Ministry over the recent landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified border area where troops are not stationed, and the government's response. The military has officially concluded that the blast was caused by mines planted by the North Korean military. Partisan conflict is expected over the government's response and its policy toward North Korea, and diplomatic tensions surrounding the repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine will also be on the agenda.

At the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit, singer Park Jin-young will appear as a witness in his capacity as co-chairman of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange. Park previously said he was serving in the post without pay, but it has since been revealed that he receives 2 million won a month in expenses for the role, prompting further questioning and responses.

Audits of the Education Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare will also be held simultaneously on the day. The Science, ICT and Future Planning Committee will visit the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, for an on-site inspection, including observing the fifth launch of the Nuri space rocket.