North Korea denies responsibility for landmine injuries in the DMZ

On October 2, 2026, North Korea officially rejected South Korea's allegations that its military planted landmines within the four-kilometer-wide Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The incident, which occurred on September 21, involved two South Korean soldiers who were severely injured during a reconnaissance mission. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior party official, stated via the state-run KCNA agency that the accusations were groundless and categorically refused Seoul’s demand for an apology.

The South Korean military had previously demanded an immediate apology and the cessation of ongoing fortification efforts along the border, warning that they would take proportional measures in response. The United Nations Command has characterized the event as a violation of the armistice agreement. Tensions remain elevated as the South Korean military continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast while demanding accountability from the North.