South Korea proposes military talks with North Korea

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 09:50 · Archive

South Korea has proposed military talks with North Korea to resolve border disputes and prevent accidental clashes.

South Korea's deputy minister for defence policy Kim Hong-cheol announced on Friday that Seoul was formally proposing military talks with North Korea. The talks would aim to mutually confirm the exact location of the military demarcation line between the two countries, discuss restoring military communication lines, and establish measures to prevent accidental clashes in border areas. South Korea said it was also open to three-way talks involving the US-led United Nations Command.

The proposal follows landmine blasts on 21 September at the border that injured three South Korean soldiers. South Korea's military concluded the mines were planted by North Korea south of the military demarcation line. The incident prompted Seoul to show greater urgency in easing tensions.

However, it remains unclear whether North Korea will agree to talks. Leader Kim Jong-un has taken a hard line towards Seoul and suspended virtually all dialogue and co-operation with the South in recent years. South Korea made a similar proposal in November that was ignored by the North. Meanwhile, North Korea has been adding mines, barbed wire fences, tactical roads, anti-tank walls and other fortifications to the heavily armed border. South Korea's military reported that North Korean soldiers crossed the demarcation line 50 times during fortification work in 2026, prompting warning shots and broadcasts in response.

How it is being reported

• S.Korea offers talks with North to calm tensionsSouth Korea is proposing military talks with North Korea in order to agree on the exact location of their border and to reduce the risk of accidental clashes.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 09:20
• S.Korea offers talks with North to calm tensionsSouth Korea is proposing military talks with North Korea in order to agree on the exact location of their border and to reduce the risk of accidental clashes.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 09:20

In this story: South Korea · North Korea · Kim Jong-un · Kim Hong-cheol · United Nations Command

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem