South Korea

Following the enactment of the “Mine Response Activities Including Mine Clearance Bill” in February 2024, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) set up an “ad-hoc” national mine action centre in March. The Korean Campaign to Ban Landmines (KCBL) led the development of Korean national mine action standards (KMAS), completing an initial draft in February 2025. A Mine Response Activities Committee, which was to assume responsibilities similar to a National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), was planned to have been established in February 2025, although at June 2025, it had still not been set up. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) has continued sporadically to emplace anti-personnel (AP) mines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea, with the risk that heavy rains could result in mines floating into South Korean territory. 

• The Republic of Korea (South Korea) should accede to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) as a matter of priority.
• South Korea should establish a national mine action authority as soon as possible to assume responsibility for planning and implementing mine clearance.
• South Korea should clear AP mines in areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, consonant with its obligations under international human rights law.

Click here to download the "Clearing the Mines 2025" report for South Korea.