Unification ministry reaffirms peaceful coexistence policy despite DMZ mine blast

The Korea Times - Oct 1, 2026

The unification ministry said Thursday it will continue to pursue peaceful coexistence with North Korea, despite the recent blast caused by North Korean land mines inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The ministry unveiled the stance a day after Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, rejected the South Korean military's finding that blamed the North for the blast, arguing that Seoul is "cooking up the groundless results." "The ministry will steadfastly pursue peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said, while vowing to work with other government agencies to take "necessary measures to prevent the repeat of such tragic incidents." "Ending decadeslong hostility and confrontation and creating a peace where there is no need to fight each other is the most realistic way to protect the lives and safety of our people," the ministry said. Minister Chung Dong-young curtailed his European work trip that was due to last until Monday and is set to return home later in the day to handle the aftermath of the blast, which wounded three South Korean soldiers. Sou

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