The Military Warns Of Possible North Korean Mines Entering South Korea As A Result Of Heavy Rain

The demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/Johannes Barre)

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik on Wednesday called for strong readiness for North Korea's provocation, his office said, amid fears of landmines set up by North Korea that may flow into South Korea due to heavy rains.

This was conveyed by Defense Minister Shin in a meeting of high-ranking military commanders held to discuss South Korea's ability to counter North Korea's potential provocation, according to the Ministry of Defense, reported The Korea Times July 17.

The meeting came a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned South Korea would face "terrible and painful consequences" if it allowed North Korean defectors to continue sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets to North Korea.

Kim Yo-jong hinted on Tuesday that his country could choose a new tactic against the leaflet campaign, instead of using its campaign by sending balloon carrying garbage across the border.

In addition to the possibility that North Korea adopted a new provocation method, such as operating a drone and shooting down a leaflet-carrying balloon flown by South Korean activists, the ministry said the risk of mines planted by North Korea could be carried to South Korea amid ongoing heavy rains.

"North Korea tends to randomly place it without relevant security measures," said an official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

"Whether it happened on purpose or naturally due to heavy rains, there is a higher chance of land mines flowing down," he added.

Photographs released by the Ministry of Defense show various forms of landmines used by North Korea, including those resembling leaves and those placed in wooden boxes.

The Ministry of Defense appealed to the public to refrain from touching suspected mines or other suspicious objects.

North Korea has deployed large numbers of troops in front-line areas for various activities since April, such as planting mines, setting up walls, and strengthening roads for military operations.

An JCS official said North Korea was expected to have planted tens of thousands of mines in the area in recent months. The majority are aimed at preventing North Koreans from crossing the border to enter South Korea.

Since inter-Korean communications channels have been closed, the military has asked the United Nations Command to notify North Korea of the risk of landmines entering the South, the official said.