Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, has claimed that the landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the western front was a "fabricated stunt" by South Korea, threatening immediate retaliation if the South Korean military carries out live-fire shooting toward North Korea.

In a statement released on the 29th, Kim asserted, "This incident is a clear fabricated stunt that closely resembles the 'wooden box landmine incident' that caused a stir around the world over 10 years ago, both in the timing and the method of the provocation," according to the Korean Central News Agency on the 30th.

Previously, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced intermediate investigation results regarding the DMZ explosion that occurred on the 21st, stating that "it is highly likely to be a North Korean landmine." The JCS explained that TNT components and brown foreign substances were detected in the gear of the injured soldiers, and that there are no records of South Korean military landmine deployment in the accident area. However, they maintained that additional investigation is necessary to determine whether the North Korean military intentionally buried the mines.

Regarding this, Kim protested that the South Korean military is "fabricating groundless results and talking about 'appropriate and corresponding measures,'" claiming that the assertions are intended to shift the blame for escalating tensions onto North Korea.

She claimed, "Our soldiers have never crossed the border even once," and stated that the fortification work currently being carried out by North Korea along the border region is simply "an exercise of sovereignty unrelated to military purposes."

In particular, she raised the stakes by mentioning the possibility of a military response.

Kim threatened, "If even a single bullet lands on our land, you must be prepared for many things," adding, "If the South Korean military carries out actual live-fire shooting rather than warning shots, our border units will immediately launch merciless retaliation."

She went on to claim that guidelines for a response have already been issued to the border defense units, and that tactical counter-action means will be reinforced in the area opposite the South Korean military's 3rd Corps and 21st Infantry Division.

Warning further, she stated, "The dramatic climax of Seoul's fabricated clown show will by no means be entertaining," and added, "The full responsibility for all consequences will rest entirely on the parties who planned the provocation."

Kim's statement was not carried in domestic media outlets targeting North Korean residents, such as the Rodong Sinmun or Korean Central Broadcasting.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]