International Campaign to Ban Landmines concerned at reported landmine use by North Korea
Updated on 24 July 2024
Reports from South Korean media outlets alleging new use of antipersonnel landmines by North Korean forces raise serious humanitarian concerns for civilians on both sides of the border, said the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate, today.
“The campaign is deeply saddened and disappointed to witness the resurgence of the use of landmines, which have been banned by 164 states for the horrific impact they have on civilians,” stated Tamar Gabelnick, Director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. “Landmines have no place in the 21st century, and it is imperative that all nations, including North and South Korea, work together to ban these brutal and indiscriminate weapons once and for all.”
Initially, on 29 April 2024, South Korean state broadcaster KBS reported that North Korean soldiers had been observed laying landmines on the three roads through the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea.
In May 2024, it was reported that North Korea was installing mines not only along the main axes of advance but also in mountains and fields.
On 18 June 2024 South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff mentioned in a press meeting that several explosions occurred during mine laying operations in the DMZ by North Korea, resulting in multiple casualties, but that mine laying continued in the DMZ despite such incidents.
On 17 July 2024, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik voiced concerns that antipersonnel landmines placed by the North could float into South Korea amid heavy downpours. Of specific concern is a plastic mine which is small in size and is camouflaged into the shape of a leaf and roughly the size of a mobile phone. It contains 40 grams of explosive, more destructive power than is found with a US M14 or Chinese Type72 antipersonnel landmine. These mines have already been found to have transited to South Korea in last weeks monsoon rains according to the joint chiefs of staff. Another antipersonnel deployed by North Korea is a local version of a Soviet box antipersonle landmine, which has a wooden body. In the past, the box mines has been swept by high water into South Korea and been recovered from beaches and river banks.
On 21 July 2024, in response to North Korea’s laying of new antipersonnel landmines in the DMZ, the South Korean military has recommenced loudspeaker broadcasts near the inter-Korean border. The broadcasts include information about landmine explosions that killed North Korean soldiers who were clearing land and carrying out mine-related operations in frontline areas.
"The decision by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to lay mines, now in the DMZ, and previously along the Tumen river, will not bring them security. This action risks creating mine casualties within its neighbouring countries. Already mines have reportedly entered the Republic of Korea (ROK) due to floods. It may be assumed the same is occurring along the Tumen river, which forms a northern border with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia, but where information is more difficult to come by.” said Dr. Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan, ICBLCMC Senior Expert.
ICBL member the Korean Campaign to Ban Landmines (KCBL) has stated that the Korean military was unable to initially to determine the specific types of mines which were laid by North Korean forces. They suspected, however, it was a mix of antipersonnel and antivehicle mines. Professor Jai Kook Cho, Coordinator of KCBL said, “We condemn the use of mines in North Korea because it will destroy someone's life and betray the hope of people to live in peace.”
There have been several reports and allegations of new use of antipersonnel mines by North Korean forces in recent years, especially since 2020, when North Korean authorities reportedly undertook a series of measures to seal the country’s borders.
At least six people were reported killed in September and October 2023, when they apparently detonated landmines as they attempted to cross the border along the banks of the Tumen River near the city of Musan in North Hamgyong province on the border with China. Reportedly those mines were laid in August 2023.
In March 2021, South Korean media reported that two North Korean border guards were wounded by landmines in North Hamgyong Province on North Korea’s border with China.
In November 2020, South Korean state media reported on a closed-door session of the National Assembly, which heard reports from intelligence officials alleging North Korea had laid landmines along parts of its border with China. Several casualties from these mines were reported along the border, in Ryanggang province.
North Korea and South Korea have acknowledged the humanitarian concerns raised by landmines, but neither country has joined the international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines.
Antipersonnel mines are explosive devices that kill and maim people both during and long after conflicts. They are placed above, under, or on the ground and explode from a person’s presence, proximity, or contact. Antipersonnel mines cannot distinguish between a soldier and a civilian. They are typically placed by hand, but they can also be scattered by aircraft, rockets, and artillery or dispersed from specialized vehicles. Uncleared landmines pose a danger until cleared and destroyed. Mined land can drive displacement of the civilian population, hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid, and prevent agricultural activities.