Brief
South Korea says North Korea has planted nearly a million landmines along DMZ since 2024
Data released by South Korea's military shows a massive increase in North Korean mine‑laying along the heavily guarded border.
By Felo News Desk · Published
South Korea's military disclosed that North Korea has placed an estimated 960,000 landmines along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) since 2024, according to data presented to the National Assembly and reported by the Independent.
What happened
The figures were submitted by the South Korean armed forces to parliamentary intelligence and defence committees, then released through the state news agency Yonhap. The mines are added to an existing stock of roughly two million devices already buried across the DMZ, including those laid by South Korean forces, as noted by independent experts cited in the report.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that the data release coincided with Seoul's defence ministry renewing a proposal for military talks with Pyongyang to clarify the exact ground demarcation line and reduce the risk of accidental clashes. Deputy Minister for National Defence Policy Kim Hong‑Cheol said the proposal also includes restoring communication lines and discussing measures to prevent border incidents.
What was said
Kim Hong‑Cheol told a televised briefing, "Our ministry of national defence officially proposes to North Korean authorities that South‑North military talks be held to mutually confirm the exact location of the ground military demarcation line between the South and the North, discuss the restoration of military communication lines, and discuss measures to prevent accidental clashes in border areas." He added that Seoul is open to three‑way talks involving the US‑led United Nations Command.
How it came about
The mine‑laying surge follows a series of border incidents, including more than 50 crossings of the Military Demarcation Line by North Korean soldiers this year and a landmine explosion on 21 September that injured three South Korean soldiers. South Korea has repeatedly urged Pyongyang to cease fortification work and engage in dialogue, but previous proposals in November received no response.
Key facts
- South Korea estimates 960,000 new landmines placed by North Korea along the DMZ since 2024. (independent.co.uk)
- The estimate adds to about two million mines already buried across the DMZ, including South Korean devices. (independent.co.uk)
- Deputy defence minister Kim Hong‑Cheol proposed renewed military talks to confirm the border line and prevent clashes. (independent.co.uk)
- North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line around 50 times this year, prompting warnings and shots from South Korean forces. (independent.co.uk)
- A landmine explosion on 21 September injured three South Korean soldiers during a search operation. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “South Korea says North Korea has planted a million landmines along border since 2024”
