Ministry of National Defense: "Any Issues Can Be Discussed with North Korea Through Military Talks"

On the afternoon of the 1st, the first day of the implementation of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement concerning the West Sea Hostile Acts Prohibition Zone (Buffer Zone), marines are conducting training on Yeonpyeong Island, Ongjin County, Incheon. / Yeonpyeong Island - Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Ministry of National Defense stated on the 19th, "Our military is open to discussing any issues related to easing military tensions between the South and the North through military talks such as the Inter-Korean Military Joint Committee."

At the regular briefing that day, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Boo Seung-chan emphasized, "The September 19 Military Agreement specifies that large-scale military exercises and military buildup issues between the South and North military authorities will be discussed at the Inter-Korean Military Joint Committee."

This is interpreted as an extension of President Moon Jae-in's remark at the New Year's press conference the previous day, where he mentioned that "if necessary, consultations with North Korea can be conducted through the Inter-Korean Military Joint Committee" regarding the conduct of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises.

Spokesperson Boo also stated, "Since the 2018 (September 19) Military Agreement, compared to the past, military situations in the border areas between the South and North have been stably managed through mutual cessation of hostile acts within buffer zones on land, sea, and air," and emphasized, "The evaluation that the September 19 Military Agreement has effectively become obsolete is a biased view that distorts reality."

Meanwhile, in response to a question about the military communication line, which North Korea unilaterally suspended in June last year citing leaflet distribution, Spokesperson Boo said, "As far as I know, communication is currently not functioning."