South Korea and North Korea clash at UN over DMZ landmine incident

South Korea and North Korea have clashed directly at the United Nations over a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone. Seoul demanded an apology, while Pyongyang rejected the allegations. Kim Do-yeon reports. South Korea and North Korea clashed at the UN General Assembly's First Committee on Thursday, local time, over a September 21 landmine explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line. The committee deals with disarmament and international security. Seoul accused North Korean forces of planting the mine and demanded an apology from Pyongyang before UN member states. "This constitutes a clear violation of the Korean armistice agreement. We urge the DPRK to cease such escalatory actions, offer an apology, and take responsible measures." North Korea rejected the allegations. Its delegate pointed out that even South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young had said it was difficult to characterize the incident as a deliberate attack. "That is a sinister obstructive move intended to brand our fortification of the southern border, a downright exercise of sovereignty, as a military invasion." South Korea urged the North to acknowledge responsibility and return to dialogue. Pyongyang responded that it would not sovereignty with a hostile state and would defend its territory by force. It also vowed to exercise its right to self-defense more assertively. North Korea's criticism of Seoul continued beyond the UN. Early Friday morning, Kim Yo Jong, director of the Workers' Party's General Affairs Department, issued a written statement through the Korean Central News Agency. It came just 14 hours after she condemned South Korea's plan to send medical equipment to the North in a separate statement on Thursday. This time, she linked the aid plan to the landmine explosion, dismissing both as staged events intended to undermine North Korea's dignity and reputation. She said North Korea would further distance itself from South Korea and disregard Seoul from now on, citing authorization from the country's leader. In May, the South Korean government secured an exemption from UN sanctions to provide medical equipment to North Korea. The government plans to deliver the medical equipment to Kangdong County Hospital in Pyongyang through the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Reporter Kim Do-yeon [email protected]

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