Lee Orders Thorough Probe Into DMZ Mine Blast That Injured Three Soldiers

President Lee Jae Myung ordered a swift and transparent investigation Tuesday into a mine explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone that injured three South Korean soldiers, saying the government would take necessary measures once the facts are established.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee called on military authorities to work closely with the United Nations Command to determine the cause of the blast. His remarks came one day after the military released preliminary findings indicating that North Korean mines were the likely cause.

The explosion occurred during an operation to clear a route for a joint South Korean military and U.N. Command inspection. The mission was intended to examine Seoul’s suspicions that North Korea had placed mines across the border in violation of the armistice that ended active fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Lee said the investigation should reveal the truth without delay and pledged a response consistent with its conclusions. He also expressed sympathy to the injured troops and their families and wished the soldiers a full recovery. Although Lee had posted a recovery message shortly after the incident, Tuesday’s comments marked his first public discussion of the case in an official setting.

The president also warned against spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about the blast. He said national security should not become a source of division between the ruling and opposition camps, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding incidents along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border.

Beyond the immediate investigation, Lee linked the episode to South Korea’s broader defense posture. He emphasized the need for a self-reliant defense system built around advanced weapons and instructed officials to accelerate efforts involving nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic missiles.

The mine blast has renewed scrutiny of security conditions in the DMZ, where unexploded ordnance and newly placed mines can endanger troops conducting surveillance, maintenance and inspection work. The military’s preliminary assessment has not yet settled responsibility, leaving the joint inquiry central to any further government action.

At the same Cabinet meeting, Lee reviewed his recent trip to the United States and Mexico and urged ministries to convert its outcomes into tangible national gains. He also identified improved housing, employment and financial services for low-income households as leading domestic policy priorities.