The incident was the latest in a series of provocations amid decades-long tensions along the 4 kilometer-wide Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the Koreas.
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One soldier had both his legs amputated, while another also had one leg removed.
The army’s announcement didn’t go into specifics about what exactly is planned, though included is the resumption of propaganda broadcasts across the border towards rival North Korea for the first time since 2004.
Kim Min Seok, a spokesman for the South Korea defence ministry, said: “We are strengthening defence postures [along the border] against another potential provocation by the North”.
A South Korean official who asked to remain anonymous said it will be hard to find a momentum for dialogue between the two sides, adding the North responded to the South’s offer of talks with provocations. It said sound from the the giant loudspeakers can travel about 24 kilometers (15 miles) at night and about 12 kilometers on weekdays.
“Besides the border defense regiments stationed in Manpo, every military unit has received an “urgent combat-ready” order, although no particular tension [with the South] exists”, he said.
But although the loudspeakers were re-installed, they were never put back into use as Seoul limited itself to a number of direct FM radio broadcasts instead. The North typically calls the South’s statements attempts to create anti-Pyongyang sentiments.
North Korea, similarly, have been prolific with goals in seven of their nine worldwide outings this year, albeit being held in their 2-0 loss to China on Wednesday.
When authorities issued the order, they provided no explanations to commanders, a source in Jagang Province said. “I can’t say in what way”.
An investigation by the US-led UN Command also blamed North Korea for the mine attacks, which took place during a routine patrol last week.
South Korea has demanded an apology from North Korea after a mine blast injures two South Korean soldiers patrolling the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas.
After a war of words with the US and with new UN sanctions over the third nuclear test, the country vowed to restart all nuke facilities, including a uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon.
The war between North and South Korea still technically continues because the participants have yet to sign a peace treaty.
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Earning just two points from three games in the Chinese city of Wuhan was a disappointing return for Japan even if the Samurai Blue was, like South Korea, experimenting with a lineup without European-based players.
