Ministry of Unification: "No Response from North Korea to Inter-Korean Liaison Office Calls... Request Notification if Dam Discharge Occurs" (Update)

Technical Failures Suspected Due to Communication Line Disruptions Caused by Heavy Rain in the North

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 28th, the Ministry of Unification announced, "In accordance with inter-Korean agreements, we request the North to notify us in advance when releasing water from dams in North Korean waters."

Through the 'Ministry of Unification's Position on Preventing Flood Damage in Border Areas during the Monsoon Season' released to the media that afternoon, the Ministry stated, "This is a basic measure to prevent loss of life and property for residents in the border areas amid concerns about flood damage in the inter-Korean border region during the monsoon season," emphasizing this request.

The Ministry of Unification also added, "Considering the current unstable communication connection between the South and the North and the urgency of the matter, we are first publicly requesting the North, and plan to send an official notification to the North once the communication lines are restored."

After the announcement, a Ministry of Unification official told reporters, "We made several calls this morning at 9 a.m. for the regular inter-Korean joint liaison office call, but there was no response from the North, so the call did not take place," and added, "The communication line between the Panmunjom machine room, which uses the same line as the liaison office, also did not respond."

He further stated that although the military communication line's regular call at 8 a.m. was completed, communication has been unstable since then. He said, "It is presumed to be a technical issue such as a communication line failure caused by heavy rainfall in the North Korean area."