South Korea seeks practical steps to ease tensions with North Korea

Moscow (ANTARA) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has promised to continue pursuing practical steps to reduce military tensions with North Korea, even as both sides remain in dispute following landmine explosions in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).

“My administration will consistently strive for practical measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas,” said Lee, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency on Thursday.

Lee made the statement during a ceremony commemorating the 78th Armed Forces Day at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in South Chungcheong Province.

He noted that relations between the two Koreas remain highly strained, but South Korea will work patiently to improve them.

“The issues within inter-Korean relations are very complex, but we will continue to work consistently and patiently to unravel them one by one,” Lee said.

Lee stated that the most reliable security is achieved when conflict is no longer necessary.

He also called on North Korea to join South Korea in restoring trust and continuing dialogue.

On 21 September, three individuals, including two South Korean soldiers, were injured by explosions believed to have originated from two landmines in the demilitarised zone. Another unexploded mine was subsequently discovered at the same location.

The South Korean military stated that the exploded mines were planted by North Korea. Seoul described the incident as a violation of the armistice agreement and has demanded an apology and appropriate measures from Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and an official of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, denied Pyongyang’s involvement in the alleged landmine explosions. Kim described the accusations as an act of provocation.