Military warns of loose North Korean land mines near DMZ as heavy rains approach

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Tuesday warned people to watch for land mines that could be washed into border areas as heavy rain is forecast across most of the country.

"There is a risk that land mines washed away by heavy rainfall could be carried downstream through rivers in border areas, and we ask the public to remain vigilant," the JCS said in a public notice.

The demilitarized zone, or DMZ, contains a large number of North Korean land mines, according to the military. Some mined areas are connected to the Han River estuary through rivers shared by South Korea and North Korea, including the Imjin River, Hantan River, Hwa River, Bukhan River and Inbuk Stream.

"People should exercise caution around land mines when engaging in activities near rivers shared by Korea and North Korea," the JCS said. "If you discover an unidentified object suspected to be a land mines in those areas, do not touch it under any circumstances and report it to the nearest military unit or police station."

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast heavy rain across most parts of the country through Thursday.

More than 150 millimeters (5.9 inches) of rain is expected in parts of southern Gyeonggi, the central and southern inland areas of Gangwon, South Chungcheong, the central and northern parts of North Chungcheong, northwestern North Jeolla and the northern inland areas of North Gyeongsang, raising the risk of landslides.

The Korea Forest Service raised its landslide warning from the "concern" level to the "caution" level for Seoul, Daegu, Incheon, Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, North Jeolla and North Gyeongsang, effective at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

BY CHO MUN-GYU [[email protected]]