North Korea has accused South Korea of fabricating a landmine incident that injured two South Korean soldiers in September, claiming Seoul is using the incident to portray Pyongyang’s border fortification work as a military incursion.
North Korea’s state media KCNA reported on Monday that Pyongyang had sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council over the allegations.
In the letter, North Korea’s representative to the UN accused Seoul of misrepresenting the incident to undermine the country’s border construction activities.
Pyongyang also warned that any violation of its sovereignty could trigger measures in self-defence.
The dispute centres on explosions in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas on September 21, which seriously injured two South Korean soldiers.
Seoul subsequently said the explosions were caused by landmines planted by North Korea south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which runs through the DMZ.
The UN Command said a North Korean mine crossing the demarcation line violated the armistice agreement. Pyongyang, however, has denied responsibility.
North Korea’s letter also accused South Korea of opening fire on North Korean personnel, describing the alleged actions as a violation of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against another country’s territorial integrity.
South Korea has maintained that it uses warning broadcasts and fires warning shots to urge North Korean soldiers to return north when they cross the MDL.
North Korean troops have been constructing tactical roads and fences and laying mines near the border in recent years, adding to tensions along the heavily militarised frontier.
Last Friday, South Korea’s Defence Ministry renewed its proposal for military talks with North Korea to reduce the risk of accidental clashes along the border.
