The Ministry of National Defense said on the 17th it will move the Civilian Control Line (CCL) an average of 2 kilometers and up to 4 kilometers farther north than now. The aim is to lift and ease the existing controlled protection zones into "restricted protection zones" so that some property rights can be exercised.
According to the military facility regulation improvement measures released by the Ministry of National Defense that day, CCL adjustments will be pushed across border areas starting next year. The CCL is a baseline to control civilian access for military operational reasons in areas adjacent to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) where military activity must be ensured. It is typically within 10 kilometers south of the MDL, and the plan is to adjust it to an average of 6 kilometers.
Once the adjustment is complete, about 270 square kilometers—roughly 90 times the size of Yeouido—of controlled protection zones are expected to be converted into restricted protection zones. Despite the reduction of controlled protection zones, the military plans to supplement control measures to ensure operational conditions by transferring CCL guard posts, installing perimeter fences and closed-circuit TVs, and more. This plan will be funded by the defense budget.
The Ministry of National Defense also plans to minimize restricted protection zones south of the CCL starting in the second half of this year. Restricted protection zones refer to areas within 25 kilometers south of the MDL that are located south of the CCL. About 2,900 square kilometers are currently designated. In these areas, there are restrictions such as the need for prior consultation with the military when constructing buildings.
After reviewing the restricted protection zones, the military authorities concluded that they include areas with low importance for operations and plan to optimize them by applying the actual operational scope. Starting in the second half of this year, they will sequentially lift designations after unit-level operational reviews and terrain surveys. The military authorities project that an area about 150 times the size of Yeouido will be lifted.
A Ministry of National Defense official said, "The areas resulting from the CCL adjustment and the lifting of restricted protection zones are figures assessed on maps," adding, "They may change during actual terrain surveys and unit-by-unit reviews, and in some cases may be designated as protected zones again depending on changes in the operational environment."
Unnecessary military obstacles that cause traffic congestion and damage surrounding scenery in border areas will also be removed. The Ministry of National Defense plans to first remove 23 military obstacles next year—such as dragon's teeth (anti-tank obstacles) and roadside rockfall barriers—that local governments have requested be dismantled due to diminished military utility. In the latter half of this year, it will conduct a full survey and establish a year-by-year improvement plan.
In addition, to address delays such as waiting to enter the CCL, an access management system using a mobile app and simple authentication will be established. The government will also greatly simplify flight approval and authorization procedures for agricultural drones in border areas and provide local governments with regular information on idle military land twice a year.