South Korea has recovered 15 mines, believed to have been carried by rain from North Korea
South Korean authorities have recovered 15 mines that, according to preliminary assessments, may have been carried by monsoon rains from North Korea to the coastal areas of Gwanghwa County. Euronews reported this, citing local officials.
Choi Yeon-ran, head of the county’s civil defense unit, told AFP that 15 “presumably North Korean mines” were discovered on the coast between July 23 and August 3. According to her, all the munitions found have already been removed. Officials do not rule out the possibility that other mines could wash ashore.
Gwanghwa County, which consists of islands, is located at the mouth of the Han River, which is divided by the inter-Korean border. In July, the South Korean military warned that heavy rainfall could wash explosive devices into rivers crossing the border, which could have serious consequences if they detonated downstream.
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In late July, local authorities sent out warnings to residents about the danger of landmines in coastal areas. Local resident Park Hee-yeol told AFP that about 300 people continue to dig for shellfish by hand, even though such work can be dangerous due to the risk of landmines.
The demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, established after the armistice that ended the Korean War of 1950–1953, is one of the most heavily mined areas in the world. According to military sources cited by the Yonhap news agency, approximately 800,000 landmines may be buried in the area.
