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South Korea blames North Korea for mine blast that maimed 2 South Korean soldiers

Associated Press
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In this Aug. 9, 2015, photo provided by the Defense Ministry, South Korean army soldiers patrol near the scene of a blast inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea. Vowing to hit back, South Korea said Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, that North Korean soldiers laid the three mines that exploded last week at the border and maimed two South Korean soldiers. (The Defense Ministry via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this Aug. 9, 2015, photo provided by the Defense Ministry, South Korean army soldiers patrol near the scene of a blast inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea. Vowing to hit back, South Korea said Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, that North Korean soldiers laid the three mines that exploded last week at the border and maimed two South Korean soldiers. (The Defense Ministry via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this Aug. 9, 2015, photo provided by the Defense Ministry, a South Korean army soldier stands guard near the scene of a blast inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea. Vowing to hit back, South Korea said Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, that North Korean soldiers laid the three mines that exploded last week at the border and maimed two South Korean soldiers. (The Defense Ministry via AP) (The Associated Press)

South Korea says North Korean soldiers placed the two mines that exploded last week at the border and maimed two South Korean soldiers.

Seoul says Pyongyang will face "searing" consequences for laying the mines that exploded last Tuesday in the Seoul-controlled southern part of the heavily-fortified Demilitarized Zone. Such a move would violate the armistice that ended fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War, which still technically continues.

The two wounded soldiers had been on a routine patrol. One soldier lost both legs, while the other lost one leg.

Seoul's Defense Ministry said Monday that it believes North Korean soldiers secretly crossed the border and laid the mines because the splinters from the explosions were from wood box mines, which are used by North Korea.

Pyongyang hasn't responded.