00:00It seems that North Korea's provocations have been getting worse and worse lately.
00:02Recently, North Korean fighter jets even flew south and staged a kind of show of force.
00:05Today, let's take a closer look at this issue.
00:07Let's take a look right away.
00:09Before that, if you want to get the fastest international news in Korea, please visit SBH News.
00:13At the DMZ, an explosion believed to be caused by a landmine occurred,
00:16and three of our military officers were injured.
00:18Two of them were seriously injured, and one suffered a severe injury with an ankle amputation.
00:21But the very next day, a North Korean fighter jet crossed the tactical action line in the West Sea and
00:25flew south.
00:26First, I think we need to take a look at this fighter jet flying south.
00:29On the 22nd, a North Korean MiG-series fighter jet crossed the tactical action line in the West Sea in
00:33the morning and flew south,
00:34so our Air Force had to scramble fighter jets urgently to respond.
00:37The Coast Guard also evacuated about 70 fishing boats near Bonyong-do to nearby ports.
00:41As for this tactical action line, those who have served in the military would know,
00:44but it is virtually set 20 to 50 kilometers north of the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea and
00:48the Military Demarcation Line
00:49in order to prepare before North Korean fighter jets reach the capital area and other regions.
00:53Normally, North Korean fighter jets don't usually cross this line.
00:56The fact that a North Korean fighter jet crossed this tactical action line and flew south has been made public
01:00for the first time since 2022.
01:02Immediately, around 9.46 a.m. in the Bonyong-do area,
01:05an emergency alert was sent out due to a real situation instructing fishing boats and leisure boats to evacuate to
01:10the port.
01:10As a result, 79 fishing boats that were working at the time evacuated to nearby ports.
01:16After about two hours, a message was sent out saying it was safe to depart again.
01:19Meanwhile, North Korea continued to launch missiles, showing off their power.
01:22North Korea announced that the launch of the short-range ballistic missile was a test of a new major combat
01:27weapons system.
01:28Countries are analyzing this and believe that North Korea tested an improved hypersonic missile.
01:33If this is true, it would be the third time North Korea has unveiled a hypersonic missile.
01:37Since the UN General Assembly is currently being held, it is interpreted as an attempt to show off their missile
01:41capabilities.
01:42In addition, there was an incident where three of our military officers were injured by a landmine explosion in the
01:46DMZ.
01:47According to many media outlets, there is a high possibility that this landmine was from North Korea.
01:51The landmine exploded in an area that was originally classified as relatively safe.
01:54The explosion occurred between the existing waterway of the 25th Division and the area suspected to be where North Korean
01:59troops had planted landmines.
02:00Of course, the place where the landmine exploded wasn't an area that soldiers frequently passed through,
02:04but since it was still a somewhat managed area and a landmine suddenly went off,
02:07it's being presumed that it was a landmine planted by North Korea.
02:09North Korea has already started creating landmine zones, even in areas south of the armistice line.
02:14Even just within the 25th Division's guard area, there have been a total of six landmine zones created south of
02:18the armistice line.
02:18The incident happened while trying to check one of those locations.
02:20On top of that, the battalion commander who was injured this time suffered a serious wound with his ankle being
02:24amputated.
02:25Furthermore, another reason it's suspected to be North Korean is that even though he was wearing landmine overshoes, his ankle
02:29was still amputated.
02:30The blast was too powerful to be considered a KM-14.
02:32Considering the doctrine of integrated use of firepower and obstacles, as well as the possibility of accidental engagements,
02:37it is inappropriate to install obstacles in areas near the MDL where our own troops cannot be observed.
02:41Also, since there hasn't been heavy rain in this area recently, the possibility that it was a displaced landmine is
02:45low.
02:46Also, according to Assemblyman Yoo Ung-won's office from the National Assembly Defense Committee,
02:49it was considered highly likely that North Korean wooden box mines had exploded just tens of meters south of the
02:53MDL.
02:53It is more likely that two mines exploded rather than just one,
02:55and it was said that the area where the mines exploded is about 10 to 30 meters away from the
02:58area suspected to be where North Korea planted the mines.
03:00However, there is a possibility that the landmine explosion accident that occurred in the DMZ may remain unsolved.
03:04The biggest problem is that there is a lack of video footage that can directly confirm the situation at the
03:08time of the accident.
03:09At the site of the explosion, there was no surveillance equipment like a TOD installed,
03:13so it is difficult to confirm through video what exactly exploded, who installed it and when,
03:17or what kind of movement occurred at the scene right before the explosion.
03:20Even if landmine debris is found at the scene, it's not easy to determine who planted it, or when it
03:24was planted just from that alone.
03:25Especially considering the possibility that landmines used by North Korea and previously planted landmines could both be present,
03:30the investigation process could become even more complicated.
03:33Even if the investigation concludes that it's a North Korean landmine, there's still another issue remaining.
03:37That's because it's very unlikely that North Korea will admit to having directly planted the landmine.
03:41If North Korea denies the existence or placement of the landmine,
03:44we may have to determine the facts based on the physical evidence and on-site investigation results secured by our
03:48military.
03:48Of course, separately from that, if our investigation confirms that this landmine originated from North Korea,
03:53I believe a response is necessary.
03:56Especially this case, since our service members were actually injured, if we let this go without any action,
04:00we have to consider the possibility that North Korea may interpret it as a signal that we won't respond properly
04:04even if they repeat similar actions in the future.
04:06What's important in a military response is not just causing damage to the other side.
04:11It's also important to clearly show what kind of response will come if the other side takes further action.
04:15That way, we can deter additional provocations and help protect the safety of our soldiers and citizens.
04:20If it is clearly confirmed that North Korea planted the mines and is responsible, but we do nothing in response,
04:26North Korea may judge that there is little cost to taking similar actions in the future.
04:30So, the response is not just for retaliation itself,
04:33but also to send a clear warning so that the same thing does not happen again in the future.
04:37This is why measures like loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea or sending leaflets are being discussed.
04:41If necessary, we can also consider strengthening our military readiness
04:44or demonstrating our military response capabilities through public displays of force.
04:48However, what's important here is not to choose strong actions out of emotion,
04:51but to create enough deterrent effect based on confirmed facts and the scale of the damage,
04:55so that North Korea cannot take any further actions.
04:58Especially in incidents like this where there are casualties,
05:00it's important to show our military and the public that the government does not take such events lightly.
05:05Not responding doesn't always mean peace.
05:07In fact, it can send the wrong signal to the other side.
05:10So, if North Korea's responsibility is confirmed through objective evidence,
05:14we also need to clearly show our purpose of preventing recurrence and deterrence by taking appropriate measure.
05:18And this incident should be an opportunity for our military to re-examine the way we operate in the DMZ.
05:23Based to DMZ that has been an area where landmines may have been planted in the past,
05:27we need to improve our operational procedures so that, in future operations in similar areas,
05:31we minimize situations where our soldiers have to directly approach dangerous zones.
05:34For example, we could consider deploying additional mine detection equipment
05:37and actively using remote devices to detect dangerous areas before sending people in to check directly.
05:42Using drones or various surveillance equipment to check the situation on site first
05:46and increasing the information provided to personnel moving on the ground
05:48could also be one way to improve safety.
05:50Especially in cases like this, where there is a possibility of mines being planted inside the DMZ
05:54and the area needs to be investigated,
05:55it is necessary to check the movement routes of personnel involved in the operation several times in advance
05:59and to subdivide and manage dangerous areas as much as possible.
06:01In addition to the mines that have already been identified,
06:03it is also possible to consider separately managing areas where there is a historical possibility of mines being planted,
06:08areas where there have been changes in terrain,
06:10and areas where the location of mines may have changed due to heavy rain or soil erosion.
06:13It is also necessary to check whether the protective equipment provided to each soldier
06:16is sufficient and appropriate for the actual field conditions.
06:19Just because protective equipment is worn doesn't mean the risk from a landmine explosion disappears,
06:22so operational procedures that do not rely solely on equipment are necessary.
06:25Above all, the most important thing is to make the process of detecting, confirming, and controlling
06:28before entering a dangerous area as detailed as possible.
06:31For this, not only should we expand mine detection and surveillance equipment,
06:34but we also need to secure enough personnel to operate the equipment on site as well as specialized professionals.
06:38We shouldn't see this accident as just a problem of a specific unit,
06:41but we need to consider that all units operating in the DMZ could be exposed to the same risks.
06:45If various investigations and operations continue in the DMZ in the future,
06:48we need to improve by reducing the risks themselves through technology, equipment, and operational procedures,
06:52rather than relying on soldiers to take risks.
06:54I've mentioned several times in videos about the various construction projects
06:58North Korea has carried out in the DMZ area.
07:00The North Korean military crossing the military demarcation line, or MDA,
07:03is a very sensitive issue regarding the arms disagreement,
07:05and it's not something our military can simply stand by and watch.
07:08Especially since the DMZ is an area where South and North Korea are in military confrontation.
07:12If either side repeatedly changes the terrain or installs various facilities unilaterally,
07:16continuous monitoring and response are necessary.
07:19This is exactly the point I've been emphasizing.
07:21If we allow North Korea to carry out construction near the MDA,
07:24build new facilities, and continuously change the terrain without any response,
07:27the situation on the ground itself could change over time.
07:30Once the terrain or facilities are changed, it can affect future military situations
07:34and create additional burdens for our military during operations.
07:37But now there have even been incidents where our soldiers have actually suffered harm because of this.
07:42With North Korean fighter jets moving south and missile launches happening as well,
07:45we need to closely examine the overall situation rather than viewing each of North Korea's recent military actions as isolated
07:50incidents.
07:52Of course, we can't conclude that each incident happens simultaneously according to a single plan.
07:56However, as North Korea's actions continue to repeat, we also need to show a clearer stance where necessary.
08:02We must not let North Korea believe that we won't take any action no matter what they do.
08:06However, this doesn't mean we should choose military confrontation in every situation.
08:10The important thing is to have clear standards for how we will respond to North Korea's actions,
08:14and to demonstrate our ability to actually respond when necessary.
08:18That way, we can actively manage situations that occur in the DMZ,
08:21and send a clear message to North Korea about their overall behavior.
08:23I'll see you later.
08:24I'll see you later.
08:25I'll see you later.
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