North Korea claimed it is not responsible for a landmine explosion that injured South Korean soldiers in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) this month, according to a statement by the leader’s sister Kim Yo Jong published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday morning.

In a statement titled “Those Behind the Provocation Should Be Prepared to Pay the Price for Their Self-Staged Farce,” Kim warned that if South Korean soldiers escalate beyond warning shots and open fire on DPRK troops, they will “retaliate immediately and mercilessly.”

“Action guidelines for responding to this have already been issued to the border