South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young warned against politicizing the Sept. 21 mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that left several soldiers injured and argued the incident should not be used to undermine Seoul’s efforts to pursue peace with North Korea. 

“Stoking hatred and hostility is not politics,” he told news reporters Friday in Seoul. “The role of politics and politicians is to turn hatred and hostility into mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.” 

Seoul should demand an apology from North Korea over the incident, he said, adding that the government would take action once the final investigation results are