North Korea has denied responsibility for the mine explosion that injured three South Korean soldiers inside the DMZ and accused Seoul of fabricating its investigation. Kim Yo-jong warned of immediate and merciless retaliation if South Korean forces open fire. The statement introduces a new escalation element following the recovery of a North Korean antipersonnel mine south of the Military Demarcation Line.
Source: North Korean official statement; South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff; UN Command; Yonhap.