Seoul seeks apology from Pyongyang over DMZ explosion injuring troops

South Korea's military called on North Korea to issue an official apology after an explosion near the inter-Korean border injured three soldiers on patrol in the Demilitarized Zone. The blast occurred in a heavily fortified area that serves as a buffer between the two nations, prompting immediate diplomatic backlash from Seoul.

South Korean defense officials attributed the explosion to landmines, stating the incident represented a breach of agreements meant to reduce tensions along one of the world's most volatile borders. The military said the three wounded soldiers were treated for injuries sustained in the blast.

North Korea has rejected accusations that it planted mines in the DMZ, dismissing Seoul's claims as unfounded. The denial came as the two countries maintain a complex relationship marked by periodic military incidents and diplomatic standoffs.

The explosion marks the latest in a series of security incidents along the DMZ, which has remained technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Both nations maintain large military forces near the 4-kilometer-wide buffer zone, and any breach of the established protocols risks escalating regional tensions.