The military officially proposed inter-Korean military talks to North Korea to discuss setting a reference line for the military demarcation line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). As many MDL markers have been lost and North Korean troops have increasingly intruded into our area, raising the possibility of accidental clashes, the proposal is to set a reference line. This is the first proposal for inter-Korean talks under the Lee Jae-myung administration.
Kim Hong-cheol, director general for defense policy at the Ministry of National Defense, said on the 17th in a "statement proposing talks on the military demarcation line in the DMZ," "Recently, as North Korean troops have installed tactical roads and fence lines and laid mines around the military demarcation line within the DMZ, some personnel have repeatedly crossed the MDL and intruded into our area."
He added, "Our forces, following operational procedures, are taking measures to have North Korean troops withdraw north of the MDL through warning broadcasts and warning shots."
He went on, "As North Korean intrusions across the MDL and our forces' responses under procedure continue, tensions within the DMZ are rising, and there is concern that this could lead to military clashes between the South and the North."
According to the military, this situation stems from the fact that many of the "MDL markers" installed at the time of the armistice on July 27, 1953, have been lost. In August of the same year, more than 1,200 signs were installed at intervals within 500 meters to mark the MDL, but during maintenance work by the United Nations Command (UNC) in 1973, North Korean troops opened fire, and maintenance work was halted thereafter. With only about 200 signs remaining, differences have arisen between the South and the North in their recognition of boundary lines in some areas.
Deputy Minister Kim said, "To prevent accidental clashes between the two Koreas and ease military tensions, we officially propose holding inter-Korean military talks to discuss setting a reference line for the MDL," adding, "Specific schedules and venues for the talks can be coordinated through Panmunjom."
Deputy Minister Kim said, "We expect a positive and swift response from the North to this proposal aimed at easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and restoring military trust."
With all inter-Korean military communication lines currently severed, the military's proposal for talks is expected to be delivered to the North through the "United Nations Command (UNC)–North Korean military" channel.
Some view the Ministry of National Defense's proposal for inter-Korean military talks to set an MDL reference line as part of efforts to secure an inter-Korean communication channel. Since late 2023, after Kim Jong-un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission, defined the two Koreas as being in a "hostile two-state relationship," the North has refused to engage in dialogue with the South.