The essentials
South Korea's military attributes September border landmine blasts that injured three soldiers to North Korean mines; Pyongyang denies responsibility.
South Korea's military has concluded that North Korean mines caused the September blasts that injured three South Korean soldiers at the border. The finding attributes the explosions to mines placed by North Korea.
North Korea has denied responsibility for the September mine blasts and has rejected Seoul's demands for an apology. The two governments now hold opposing accounts of who laid the mines.
South Korea had earlier accused the North of laying anti-personnel mines in the demilitarized zone, and Seoul's defense minister warned of countermeasures. Pyongyang has framed the incidents as South Korean provocation and has called for greater respect from Seoul before relations can be restored.
The conflicting positions leave the dispute over the mines unresolved, with each side's account rejecting the other's.
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Military investigation points to North Korean-laid mines as cause
South Korea's military has concluded that mines laid by North Korea caused the September blasts that injured three soldiers. Seoul had previously accused Pyongyang of planting anti-personnel mines in the demilitarized zone, and defense officials have warned of countermeasures. From this account, the North's mine placement is the source of the ground-level danger.
Pyongyang rejects blame, calls incidents South Korean provocation
North Korea rejects responsibility for the September mine blasts and has refused Seoul's demands for an apology. Pyongyang frames the incidents as South Korean provocation and insists Seoul show greater respect before relations can be restored. From this view, the dispute centers less on the explosions than on the broader terms of the relationship between the two states.