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N. Korea forces resignation of commander in charge of mine blast

November 12, 2015
A South Korean soldier re-enacts planting of a wooden-box mine on the south side of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) fence near the city of Paju, on Aug. 9, 2015, in this photo released on Aug. 10, by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. North Korea is believed to have masterminded the Aug. 4 incident in which the explosion of wooden-box mines severed the legs of two South Korean staff sergeants on a regular scouting mission, the Defense Ministry said Aug. 10. (Yonhap)

A South Korean soldier re-enacts planting of a wooden-box mine on the south side of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) fence near the city of Paju, on Aug. 9, 2015, in this photo released on Aug. 10, by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. North Korea is believed to have masterminded the Aug. 4 incident in which the explosion of wooden-box mines severed the legs of two South Korean staff sergeants on a regular scouting mission, the Defense Ministry said Aug. 10. (Yonhap)

By Brian Han

Months after the mine blast along the Demilitarized Zone that left two South Korean soldiers in critical condition, it was revealed that North Korea forced the resignation of a military commander directly involved with the incident.

Commander Pang Tu-sop replaced Kim Sang-ryong. Kim was then stationed far away from the border, but still held a leadership position according to Yonhap.

South Korea immediately pinned responsibility onto the North when the incident occurred in August, but the communist country refused to corroborate the assertion.

The two countries then exchanged gunfire across the border in what appeared to be more along the lines of warning shots rather than actual combat.

Tensions continued to rise until marathon negotiations ended on Aug. 25.