A landmine believed to have drifted down from North Korea has been found again on the coast of Ganghwa County in Incheon — the fourth such discovery this month. Military authorities detonated the device on site and no damage was reported, but the repeated discoveries along the shoreline call for heightened caution from residents and visitors.
According to the Marine Corps' 2nd Division, an anti-personnel mine was found at around 10:10 a.m. on the 19th near Jogaetgol Beach on Bolumdo Island in Ganghwa County. Marines conducting a coastal search and reconnaissance mission discovered the device.
The military immediately deployed an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team to secure the area. The mine was detonated on site at about 1:20 p.m., roughly three hours later. No casualties or property damage occurred during the operation.
The military believes the mine most likely washed away from North Korean territory and drifted across the sea. Heavy rains last summer are thought to have dislodged mines in North Korea, which then traveled on ocean currents to the Ganghwa coast.
The problem is that this is not the first such discovery. Anti-personnel mines and wooden-box mines have been found repeatedly along the coast of Ganghwa County this month alone.
Four Mines Found This Month, Following 17 in July and August
On the 8th, an anti-personnel mine was found near Daebinchang Beach on Jumundo Island in Ganghwa County. A worker cleaning up the area around the beach reportedly spotted the suspicious object and reported it.
The military sent an EOD team to the site, retrieved the mine and detonated it. No casualties or property damage were reported in that case either.
Just two days later, on the 10th, more mines turned up. An anti-personnel mine was confirmed on the Eunguji coast of Jumundo Island, and a wooden-box mine near the Odudondae guard post on the coast. The military disposed of both.
Including the mine found on Bolumdo Island on the 19th, four mines have now been confirmed on the Ganghwa County coast this month.
The discoveries date back to the summer. In July and August, 17 devices, including wooden-box mines and anti-personnel mines, were found along the coast of Ganghwa County.
That brings the total confirmed since July of this year to 21. The mines have not been confined to a single stretch of shoreline but have surfaced in several parts of Ganghwa County, pointing to the need for continued vigilance.
Repeated Discoveries Along the Shoreline; Military Urges Public to Avoid Danger Zones
With mines turning up one after another on the Ganghwa coast, safety concerns extend beyond residents to tourists visiting the shore.
Because objects washed ashore may not be identifiable as dangerous by appearance alone, it is important not to touch or move any suspicious item.
The military is continuing coastal searches and preventive operations to head off further risk. The policy is to identify and address hazards in advance so that residents can use the shoreline safely.
An official with the Marine Corps' 2nd Division said the unit is conducting searches and preventive activities so that local residents can use the coast safely, and urged the public to refrain from entering danger zones and to report any suspicious object to police or the military.