Jeong Dong-young "Concerns about demarcating the North Korean border and neutralizing the armistice agreement... discussing countermeasures with the UN"

Reply to Rep. Kim Geon’s question… “The UNC has been complacent despite raising issues with the government.”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporters Ha Chae-rim and Yoon Bo-ram = On the 7th, Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young assessed that there was a risk that the buffer zone regulations between South and North Korea could be rendered ineffective due to North Korea's so-called 'border fortification' work, and expressed the opinion that measures should be taken in consultation with the United Nations Command.

Minister Chung responded as follows to a question from Rep. Kim Geon of the People's Power Party about what measures to take against concerns about the neutralization of the armistice agreement system during the government audit of the Ministry of Unification held at the Inter-Korean Talks Headquarters in Jongno-gu on this day.

After declaring inter-Korean relations as a 'hostile relationship between two countries' at the end of 2023, North Korea is installing barbed wire fences and barriers and planting land mines along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). This is the so-called ‘border line fortification’ work.

Rep. Kim said, “If the border fortification work continues, eventually the 2km buffer zone in the north will disappear and only 2km of our buffer zone will remain,” and asked about the government’s measures in case the armistice system could be neutralized like this.

Minister Jeong explained, "Our government has continued to raise issues about (North Korea's) barbed wire fences, tactical roads, and landmine plantings, which have the effect of nullifying the armistice agreement. Unfortunately, the United Nations Command has regarded this (North Korea's border fortification work) as a defensive purpose."

He then pointed out, “I think the UN had a somewhat complacent attitude before this (DMZ landmine explosion) incident.”

Minister Jeong said, "UN Command has taken the view that this is not a violation of the Armistice Agreement, but this landmine incident has been defined as a violation of the Armistice Agreement." He added, "Therefore, the immediate task is close consultation between us and the UNC on how to correct the neglect of the Armistice Agreement system through closer consultation."

“As we saw in the past in the era of exchange and cooperation, there were no accidents like this in the DMZ at that time,” he said, emphasizing that opening an era of reconciliation and cooperation is a long-term and fundamental measure.

In response, Rep. Kim said, “We cannot accept North Korea neutralizing the armistice agreement system by fortifying the southern border,” and asked, “Are you saying you will actively deal with this issue in consultation with the United Nations Command, which is responsible for managing the armistice agreement?” Minister Jeong confirmed, “That is correct.”