The president of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, has instructed the authorities to open a "thorough" investigation into the recent explosion recorded in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which last week left three South Korean soldiers injured. The leader has warned that his government will adopt "the necessary measures" once the conclusions of the investigation are known, according to the state agency Yonhap.
Lee's words, spoken during a cabinet meeting, come a day after the South Korean Armed Forces pointed out in their preliminary report that the detonation may have been caused by North Korean mines. The explosion occurred while a land-clearing operation was being carried out prior to a joint inspection with the United Nations Command (UNC), aimed at verifying Seoul's suspicions about the irregular placement of explosive devices on the border by Pyongyang, in violation of the 1953 armistice.
In this regard, Yonhap details that the president has urged the military establishment to "reveal the truth transparently" through a swift investigation closely coordinated with the UN.
After expressing his support for the injured soldiers and their relatives, Lee has also demanded that the circulation of "baseless conspiracy theories" surrounding the events be halted, and he called for the government and opposition to maintain total unity when national security is at stake.
Finally, the president has emphasized the importance of establishing a "self-sufficient" defense system supported by cutting-edge military technology. To advance this deterrent objective, he has ordered the intensification of national programs aimed at the development of nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic missiles.