Cheong Wa Dae vows 'appropriate action' after DMZ mine blast, pending full investigation

Cheong Wa Dae Communications Secretary Seong Ki-hong said Wednesday that the government would first establish the facts surrounding the suspected landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone on the western front before taking "firm and appropriate action."

Speaking on the YouTube channel "Lee Dong-hyung TV," Seong said Cheong Wa Dae was "not lukewarm" about the incident.

On the military's assessment that the blast was likely caused by a North Korean landmine, Seong said the military was conducting its own on-site investigation and had pledged to take "commensurate measures." He added that the military was "reviewing various response options" in connection with the incident.

President Lee Jae Myung had said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the government would "take necessary measures based on the facts." At the same meeting, Lee drew attention by urging that "groundless conspiracy theories not be stoked in ways that jeopardize national security." Earlier that morning, Lee visited the Armed Forces Capital Hospital to comfort the injured soldiers and their families.

Seong also addressed personnel matters during the interview. Regarding Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency who is still undergoing additional vetting, Seong rebuffed criticism from some quarters that Kim was a "pro-Yoon, anti-reform" appointee, saying "there is much that has been conveyed in a considerably distorted way about the nominee." On when the confirmation hearing request would be sent to the National Assembly, he said it was "a matter of the president's personnel prerogative, so we will have to wait and see."

Asked about replacing Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who recently submitted his resignation, and filling the vacant policy chief post, Seong said the president was "deliberating carefully" and that "if a decision is made, a position on the personnel matter will likely come out before long."