North Plants Tens of Thousands of Landmines in Forward Area [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Risk of Loss of Anti-Tank and Wooden Box Mines During Heavy Rain
Military: Possibility of North Korean Defector Due to Harsh Working Conditions

It has been revealed that North Korea has planted tens of thousands of landmines in the front-line areas. Military authorities have warned nearby residents to be cautious as heavy rains could cause the mines to be washed away.

North Korean soldiers have been laying mines at the front lines since April. The photo shows a North Korean soldier sitting on the ground eating a rice ball despite temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

North Korean troops have been laying landmines at the front lines since April, resulting in more than 10 landmine explosion incidents, with North Korean casualties being evacuated. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

North Korean troops have been conducting operations such as mine laying, creating hostage zones, and installing barriers at the front lines since April. (Photo provided by the Ministry of National Defense)

North Korean troops are dismantling the Gyeongui Line railway. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

North Korean troops have been laying mines at the front lines since April. North Korean soldiers carrying mines on their shoulders (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

North Korean troops have been conducting operations such as mine laying, creating hostage zones, and installing barriers in the front lines since April. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

According to military officials on the 17th, “Amid ongoing heatwaves and the monsoon season, the North Korean military has been carrying out operations such as mine planting, creating barren zones, and installing barriers in the front-line areas for several months,” adding, “The barren zone work along the 250 km-long Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is about 10% complete, and barrier installation is at about 1% progress.”

North Korea has been planting mines in the front-line areas since April this year. The types of mines vary from anti-tank mines to wooden box mines, which are anti-personnel lethal mines. With heavy rains forecast during the monsoon season, there is a high possibility of mines being washed away if North Korea opens the sluice gates of the Hwanggang Dam without warning. In September 2009, North Korea’s sudden release of water from the Hwanggang Dam caused the deaths of six residents in Yeoncheon County, resulting in ongoing damages. As of 9 a.m. on this day, the water level of the Gunam Dam is gradually rising at 25 meters.

Following the mine planting, the North Korean military is continuing work in the front-line areas using temporary tents. They are working 12 to 13 hours a day without holidays or troop rotations, including female soldiers. Work was even carried out on the 30th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s death on the 8th. The military reports that during the mine planting period, there have been 10 explosion accidents resulting in multiple casualties.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik held an emergency commanders’ meeting on the same day and instructed, “Maintain a firm readiness posture in response to North Korea’s provocations.”