Seoul blames North Korean mines for DMZ blast injuring officers

South Korean authorities believe North Korean mines are the likely cause of a blast that wounded three military officers in the Demilitarised Zone, the heavily fortified border separating the two Koreas. The incident marks a fresh security concern along one of the world's most tense frontiers. South Korea and the UN Command have completed inspections of the blast site to investigate the explosion. The three officers sustained injuries from what officials characterise as a mine detonation, though investigations are continuing. The discovery underscores persistent risks along the DMZ, where remnants of Cold War-era military installations and unexploded ordnance continue to pose hazards. North Korea has previously been accused by Seoul of maintaining extensive minefield networks along the border. The incident comes amid broader regional tensions on the Korean Peninsula. South Korean defence officials said they are coordinating with UN Command partners to assess the security implications and prevent similar incidents.