South Korea proposes military talks with North over border

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 09:44 · Archive

South Korea has proposed military talks with North Korea to resolve disputes over their shared border following mounting tensions.

South Korea's Defence Ministry has proposed military talks with North Korea to jointly verify the precise location of their shared border and restore military communication channels. The proposal aims to reduce the risk of accidental confrontations along the heavily fortified boundary.

The initiative follows a landmine blast in the demilitarised zone on 21 September that injured three South Korean soldiers, two seriously. Seoul's military concluded that North Korean troops had planted the mines south of the Military Demarcation Line, though Pyongyang has rejected this finding. South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korean troops have repeatedly crossed the line while building tactical roads, installing fences and laying mines in recent years.

Military tensions have escalated in recent days. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, announced that Pyongyang had moved new troops into 'firing position' along the border and would place loudspeakers on standby, a repeated move described as intended to harass South Korean soldiers and villages.

South Korea proposed similar talks in November but North Korea did not respond. Without measures to address border disputes, the Defence Ministry warned it was difficult to predict what further incidents could occur.

How it is being reported

• South Korea calls for military talks with North over border tensionsSouth Korea's military on Friday called for talks with North Korea to resolve differences over the location of their land border following a series of confrontations inside the DMZ.UPI · 23 Oct, 09:32
• South Korea proposes military talks with North againSouth Korea is attempting to mutually determine the land border with North Korea amid military incidents and escalating tensions.DW News · 23 Oct, 08:50

In this story: South Korea · North Korea · Kim Hong-cheol · Kim Jong Un · Kim Yo Jong

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