North Korea May Use Heavy Rain to Float Mines [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Military Plants Tens of Thousands of Landmines in North Korean Frontline Area
Possibility of Mines Drifting Southward During Heavy Rain

It is highly likely that North Korea is using heavy rain to send landmines flowing southward. This could be the 'new response method' mentioned by Kim Yo-jong, the deputy director of the Workers' Party of North Korea, in reaction to South Korean propaganda leaflets. In fact, North Korea has planted hundreds of thousands of landmines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and is reportedly planting tens of thousands more recently.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the 17th, the North Korean military has been planting landmines in the northern part of the DMZ since around April. Among these are so-called 'leaf mines,' which resemble leaves and can easily be mistaken for natural debris, requiring caution. Recent observations have detected North Korea dispersing these mines. The explosive charge of the leaf mines is about 40 grams, possessing an explosive power between that of typical anti-personnel mines (about 20 grams) and wooden box mines (about 70 grams).

Warning for ‘Leaf Mines’ Lighter than Wooden Box Mines

In the event of heavy rain in the North, it is speculated that North Korea could suddenly open floodgates of dams such as the Hwanggang Dam to control water levels, causing poorly buried landmines to be washed downstream into the South. Besides leaf mines, wooden box mines, which injured South Korean soldiers in 2015, could also be carried downstream from North Korea. These mines are contained in wooden boxes to evade metal detection. The military is preparing for the possibility that the loss of mines, whether intentional or accidental, could be one of the various types of response changes referred to by Kim Yo-jong.

North Korean soldiers continue working an average of 12 to 13 hours a day without holidays or troop rotations. The photo shows North Korean soldiers carrying landmines on their shoulders while moving. Photo by the Ministry of National Defense.

In September 2009, North Korea's sudden release of water from the Hwanggang Dam caused the deaths of six residents in Yeoncheon County. In July 2010, a civilian fishing illegally near the civilian control line in Jangnam-myeon, Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, died due to a wooden box mine. Since September 2009, North Korea's nine sudden releases from the Hwanggang Dam have resulted in eight deaths and property damage in the South. The Imnam Dam has also experienced 14 sudden releases since January 2002, causing property damage in the South. In October 2009, North and South Korea agreed on prior notification of dam releases during the 'Inter-Korean Working-Level Talks on Flood Prevention of the Imjin River.' However, North Korea has only complied twice in July 2010 and once in July 2013.

Sudden Releases from Frontline Hwanggang Dam Cause Casualties

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense explained in recent North Korean military trend materials distributed to the press corps that "despite the heatwave and monsoon, the North Korean military has been continuously conducting operations such as landmine planting, creating barren land, and installing barriers in the frontline area for several months," adding, "Despite numerous casualties from about ten landmine explosions and heat-related injuries during these operations, they are pushing forward recklessly."

It further stated, "The North Korean military lives in poor accommodations such as temporary tents, works 12 to 13 hours daily without holidays or troop rotations, and some locations even conducted work overnight and on the anniversary of Kim Il-sung's death (July 8). It has been confirmed that female soldiers were also mobilized in some areas." The Ministry of National Defense added, "We are preparing for the possibility of accidental defections due to the harsh working conditions and the possibility of incursions across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) during operations."

DMZ Barren Land Work Progress Rate at 10%

Regarding the progress of North Korean military operations within the DMZ, it was reported that "the barren land work covers about 10% progress based on approximately 250 km of the DMZ, barrier installation is about 1%, and landmine planting is estimated to be tens of thousands of rounds." Earlier, on the 18th of last month, military authorities revealed that North Korea is constructing structures presumed to be anti-tank barriers at four northern gates serving as entry points to the DMZ, with barrier heights of 4 to 5 meters, widths ranging from several tens to hundreds of meters in length.

North Korea is simultaneously conducting barren land work, constructing presumed anti-tank barriers, and planting landmines to strengthen security around the DMZ. Therefore, the military assesses that the primary purpose of landmine planting is to block defections of North Korean soldiers and residents to the South.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik chaired an emergency commanders' meeting on the same day to prepare for North Korean provocations and natural disasters. During the meeting, Minister Shin emphasized, "We are currently facing a complex crisis situation where we must prepare for both North Korea's provocative threats and unpredictable natural disasters," adding, "At times like this, commanders at all levels must closely monitor the situation without any lapse and maintain full readiness in their respective positions."