Seoul and the U.N. Command Say North Korean Mines Wounded Three Soldiers. Now Pyongyang Threatens More. America Should Stand With Seoul
After Seoul and the United Nations Command blamed North Korean mines for the Sept. 21 DMZ blasts, Kim Yo-jong threatened more strike weapons on the border. On Oct. 20, Seoul vowed to punish new provocations. In our view, Washington should back its ally, firmly and carefully.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 20, 2026 | 6-min read Last month, North Korean land mines planted south of the line that divides the Korean Peninsula exploded and wounded South Korean soldiers, according to Seoul and the United Nations Command [1]. Now Kim Jong Un's sister is threatening to move more strike weapons to the border and restart propaganda loudspeakers, and blaming South Korea for the tension [1][2]. On Tuesday, Seoul answered: provoke again and "we will punish it resolutely" [2]. In our view, America should stand squarely with its ally, because along this heavily armed border, firmness is what keeps the peace. Key Takeaways South Korea's Defense Ministry on Oct. 20 expressed "grave concern" over North Korean threats to deploy additional tactical strike weapons along the border and resume loudspeaker broadcasts [1][2]. Seoul and the United Nations Command determined that North Korean anti-personnel mines caused Sept. 21 explosions inside the DMZ that injured three South Korean soldiers; the North denies involvement [1]. South Korea says North Korea has deployed as many as 7,000 workers to the border area this year, and that North Korean personnel crossed the Military Demarcation