Observers stress that the two Koreas must urgently restore military communication to prevent a landmine incident in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) from escalating into armed conflict. The situation is intensifying as North Korea advances with leader Kim Jong-un’s directive to fortify its side of the 4km-wide buffer zone adjacent to the South. South Korea regards these actions, including the placement of mines near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the DMZ, as a violation of the 1953 Korean War armistice agreement.
Recently, two South Korean soldiers were injured by anti-personnel mine explosions while clearing routes south of the MDL to monitor North Korean movements, underscoring the growing risks.
