Han Byung-do calls opposition's 'deliberate delay' claim a politically motivated attack born of ignorance

Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do on Tuesday pushed back against opposition claims of a deliberate delay in the investigation into the demilitarized zone mine explosion, saying the probe is being conducted jointly and transparently by South Korean forces and UN Command and that "no one can arbitrarily downplay or conceal it." Framing the incident as a case of intentional delay, he said, is no more than a politically motivated attack born of ignorance.

Speaking at a Democratic Party floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, Han said party leader Kim Min-seok and Democratic Party members of the National Defense Committee visited the accident site on Monday to check on the progress of the investigation firsthand. "Our military and UN Command began preparatory work — including securing movement routes and surveying the operational environment — on Saturday, and have continued on-site investigations since Sunday," he said.

Han added that the final investigation results are to be announced after an assessment with UN Command. "Last night, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, taking into account the gravity of the matter, released the preliminary findings and concluded that North Korean forces were most likely responsible," he said. "If North Korea is ultimately confirmed as the source of the mine, the government must take commensurate action."

Turning to the People Power Party, Han said the PPP was "dragging national security into a political fight by claiming a cover-up before the final results are even in." He also noted that PPP members of the National Defense Committee — who had been calling for a parliamentary investigation and hearings to get to the truth — did not participate in Monday's site visit. "One cannot help but ask whether dismissing the scene and jumping straight to the conclusion of a cover-up is the PPP's idea of a security policy," he said.

Han also rejected claims that evidence or the scene had been compromised. "Statements were taken on the day of the accident, and key debris including fragments has already been secured and is currently undergoing precise forensic analysis," he said. He added that because investigators were being sent back into the site where soldiers were wounded, ensuring safety to prevent additional accidents could not be overlooked.

Han said he expressed deep regret that "even the soldiers who were injured while serving their country are being dragged into political squabbling." He said the National Assembly's National Defense Committee would hold a plenary session on Tuesday to closely examine the circumstances of the investigation, the military's assessment, and the reporting process.