South Korea Demands Apology After Landmine Injures Soldiers
Listen to the story
South Korea has demanded an apology from North Korea after a landmine blast injured three South Korean soldiers near the border between the two countries.
According to South Korean officials, the soldiers were hurt by a North Korean mine that was located on the southern side of the border. The incident happened during a search operation.
Kang Hyun-woo, the director of operations at South Korea's joint chiefs of staff, gave details about the blast to reporters. He confirmed that the soldiers were injured while carrying out their duties near the border.
The explosion has added to already high political tensions between North and South Korea. The two countries have a long history of conflict and mistrust that continues today.
This incident comes at a sensitive moment, as both sides have recently made small attempts to revive diplomatic channels. These channels are the official ways that governments communicate with each other.
It remains unclear how North Korea will respond to South Korea's demand for an apology. Relations between the two countries have often been strained, especially around border incidents involving landmines and other military equipment.
The border area between North and South Korea is heavily guarded and known to contain many landmines left from past decades of conflict. Such devices can remain dangerous for many years after they are placed.
Vocabulary10 words
- apology
- words said to show you are sorry
- landmine
- a hidden bomb placed in the ground
- search operation
- an organized activity to look for something
- joint chiefs of staff
- top military leaders of a country
- political tensions
- stress or conflict between governments
- revive
- to bring something back to life or activity
- diplomatic channels
- official ways countries talk to each other
- strained
- difficult or under pressure
- border
- the line separating two countries
- mistrust
- a lack of trust or confidence
Quiz
Answer key
1. A landmine blast 2. Kang Hyun-woo 3. True
โ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going โ book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
South Korea has demanded an _____ from North Korea after a landmine blast injured three soldiers.
The soldiers were hurt by a North Korean mine located on the _____ side of the border.
The incident happened during a _____ operation.
Kang Hyun-woo is the director of operations at South Korea's joint _____ of staff.
The explosion has added to already high political _____ between North and South Korea.
Both sides have recently made small attempts to _____ diplomatic channels.
These channels are the official ways that governments _____ with each other.
It remains unclear how North Korea will _____ to the demand for an apology.
The border area is heavily guarded and known to contain many _____.
Such devices can remain dangerous for many years after they are _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think landmines from past conflicts are still dangerous today?
- How might this incident affect efforts to improve relations between North and South Korea?
- What challenges do you think exist in reviving diplomatic channels between two countries with a difficult history?
- Do you think demanding a public apology is an effective way to resolve international incidents? Why or why not?
More Politics stories
Next story ยท Medium
Padres Add Joe Musgrove to Playoff Roster After Two Years Out


