South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Wednesday that signs of landmine emplacement have been detected in several locations south of the Military Demarcation Line, according to YTN. He also said North Korean patrols have been observed in the area.
Kang's remarks came during a parliamentary session, where he was responding to questions from lawmakers, according to Newsis. The MDL is the line that separates the two Koreas inside the Demilitarized Zone.
Separately, Kang addressed North Korea's recent statement from its Foreign Ministry, saying it came just one day after the landmine removal work, Yonhap News Agency reported. He described Pyongyang as appearing taken aback by South Korea's response. "North Korea seems to have been caught off guard," Kang said, according to JTBC, adding that Seoul would proceed firmly.
Kang also touched on security concerns related to Chinese electric vehicles and other products, saying the issue has been recognized as problematic and that measures would be taken, according to Daum.
The reported signs of landmine placement south of the MDL and the presence of North Korean patrols mark the latest development along the heavily fortified border. Details on the exact locations or the number of sites involved were not provided in the reporting.
What to watch next: whether South Korea's military releases further details on the reported landmine signs and how North Korea responds to Seoul's stated position.
