New S.Korea Defense Minister Urges North to Halt DMZ Border-Hardening After Explosion

South Korea's new Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul publicly called on North Korea to stop border-hardening activities in the DMZ following an explosion in the zone. The incident and demand signal heightened military tension on the peninsula, though details of the explosion remain unconfirmed. This marks an early assertive stance by the new minister, potentially indicating a firmer policy line toward the North.