UN Command: Both North and South Violated the Armistice Agreement

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The United Nations Command (UNC) announced on the 26th of last month that both North Korea's drone intrusion into South Korean airspace and South Korea's sending of drones to North Korea violated the Armistice Agreement.

The UNC Military Armistice Commission stated on the 26th, "The UNC Special Investigation Team confirmed that the intrusion of multiple North Korean military drones into the airspace of the Republic of Korea constitutes a violation of the Armistice Agreement by the North Korean military." On the 26th of last month, North Korea sent five drones south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), and in response, our military flew three drones north of the MDL for reconnaissance activities.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding South Korea's military operations, the UNC viewed the direct response to North Korean drones as compliant with the Armistice Agreement, but sending drones into North Korea was considered a violation.

Ministry of National Defense on UNC Armistice Agreement Conclusion: "Exercise of Self-Defense Rights"

The UNC stated, "The South Korean military's attempt to neutralize North Korean drones that violated the Republic of Korea's airspace was in accordance with the Rules of Engagement under the Armistice Agreement and is consistent with the Armistice Agreement," but also specified, "The South Korean military drones crossing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and entering North Korean airspace constitute a violation of the Armistice Agreement." Furthermore, the UNC reaffirmed that "compliance with the provisions of the Armistice Agreement is essential to prevent tensions in advance, mitigate the risk of accidental or intentional incidents, and maintain the cessation of hostile acts on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "The UNC will continue to closely cooperate with South Korea's partner agencies to this end."

The UNC formed a special investigation team and began an inquiry, concluding within about 20 days that both North and South Korea violated the Armistice Agreement; however, the Ministry of National Defense holds a different position.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that the military's response operation was an exercise of the right to self-defense, a right that cannot be restricted by the Armistice Agreement.

At a regular briefing on the 9th, the Ministry of National Defense explained that the drone countermeasures were a proportional response to North Korea's clear military provocation and an appropriate measure within the scope of self-defense rights, which are legally guaranteed under the United Nations Charter. At that time, Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said, "(Regarding the violation of the Armistice Agreement) the UNC will conduct an investigation, but based on our legal review, the right to self-defense is a legitimate right guaranteed under Article 51 of the UN Charter," and emphasized, "Since the Armistice Agreement is subordinate to the UN Charter, it cannot restrict the UN Charter."