Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon called on the government to respond on principle to a recent land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone, saying North Korea "must clearly be held accountable."
In a Facebook post on the 30th titled "How a Nation Takes Care of Its Heroes Shows Its Dignity," Oh said there is "no reason to worry about North Korea's reaction when the lives and safety of our citizens are at stake." He added that "the government must set a clear principle and respond firmly to acts that threaten South Korea's security."
On the 21st of this month, soldiers clearing a search route in the DMZ along the western front were wounded by a land mine explosion, leaving two with serious injuries and one with minor injuries. After an on-site investigation, the military concluded that the mine had been laid by North Korean forces. The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued its first official statement to North Korea that day, demanding that Pyongyang halt its "border fortification" activities, apologize and take responsible measures.
Oh also criticized delays in the investigation and public explanation of how the accident occurred. "As the investigation and explanation of the circumstances were delayed, anxiety grew not only among the soldiers and their families but also among the public," he said. "I cannot help asking whether the government fully weighed the gravity of this."
Ahead of Armed Forces Day, Oh met with five young veterans wounded in service at the Garden of Gratitude in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul's Jongno District on the same day. The meeting covered support measures needed not only for medical treatment and registration as persons of distinguished service to the state, but also for their return to society, including employment and housing.
In 2022, Seoul became the first local government to open a counseling center for young wounded veterans, providing legal advice for registration as persons of distinguished service, as well as psychological recovery and job and startup support. Through August this year, the center had handled 676 cases of legal support and 126 sessions of psychological support, including individual counseling and peer support groups. The city also provides housing assistance, including purchased rental units known as "Devotion to the Nation Youth Housing" for young wounded veterans.
Oh stressed that the state's responsibility toward soldiers and the honor it accords them are directly linked to military morale. "How a nation takes care of its heroes shows that nation's dignity," he said. "I will stand with wounded soldiers and veterans to the end so they can live with pride."
