Kim Min-seok is a South Korean politician and a member of the National Assembly for Yeongdeungpo-eul. In September 2026 he was leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the governing party.
Case
Seoul's military says North Korean mines likely caused two September 21 DMZ blasts that wounded three soldiers. North Korea calls the findings groundless. The UN Command said it identified an active North Korean mine south of the line but named no side.
Role at the time: Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the governing party, speaking at a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly
Statement summary
At a Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting on September 30, 2026, party leader Kim Min-seok said the DMZ explosion "has been revealed to be caused by North Korea planting landmines" south of the Military Demarcation Line. SBS reported that he also condemned what he called North Korea's violation of the Armistice Agreement, said North Korea must apologize, and urged the military to take countermeasures.
“The DMZ explosion has been revealed to be caused by North Korea planting landmines south of the Military Demarcation Line.”
The case asks whether North Korean forces planted the mines. Kim said the explosion had been revealed to be caused by North Korea planting landmines south of the MDL and, in remarks SBS reported alongside, condemned an armistice violation and demanded an apology. That accepts the attribution as established and criticizes the conduct, so we labeled it Condemned. The wording is SBS's English rendering.
Statement dates: September 30, 2026
Statement dates: September 30, 2026
Statement dates: September 30, 2026
