UNC: "DMZ Control Is Authority Under Armistice Agreement"... Unification Ministry Rebuts, "Peaceful Use Not Included" (Comprehensive)

On December 17, the United Nations Command (UNC) issued a statement emphasizing the provisions of the Armistice Agreement, which stipulate that the authority to manage the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) south of the Military Demarcation Line belongs to the UNC. In response, the Ministry of Unification immediately issued a rebuttal and expressed its intention to support legislative efforts in the National Assembly. This has led to a confrontation between the UNC and the Ministry of Unification over the scope of access control to the DMZ.

The Western Front Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as seen from the border area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On its website, the UNC posted a "Statement on the Authority and Procedures of the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission," citing Article 1, Paragraph 9 of the Armistice Agreement, which states that "civil administration and relief work in the area of the DMZ south of the Military Demarcation Line are the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command." The UNC also highlighted Paragraph 10 of the same article, stating, "Except for personnel involved in the execution of civil administration and relief work and those who have received specific permission from the Military Armistice Commission, no military personnel or civilians may enter the DMZ."

The UNC explained, "The Military Armistice Commission carefully reviews and either approves or denies (DMZ) access based on established procedures," adding, "This is to ensure that movement within the DMZ is not perceived as provocative or does not pose a security risk to visitors." The UNC also stated, "We hope for the conclusion of a permanent peace treaty and will continue efforts to maintain the armistice and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

It is considered highly unusual for the UNC to directly state its position on such a specific issue. This move appears to be in response to recent developments: Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung publicly criticized the denial of access to the DMZ for Kim Hyun-jong, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, there have been moves to promote the enactment of a DMZ Act to grant the South Korean government authority over DMZ access. Assemblyman Lee Jaegang, who sponsored the bill, argued that the relevant provisions of the Armistice Agreement are limited to "military purposes," and that it is excessive for the UNC to control civilian access as well.

Regarding this, the Ministry of Unification also issued a statement, saying, "We respect the efforts the UNC has made to maintain peace in the DMZ," but added, "As stipulated in the preamble, the Armistice Agreement is a military agreement and does not prohibit the peaceful use of the DMZ." The ministry continued, "In the absence of comprehensive domestic legislation governing the DMZ, a total of three bills have been introduced in the National Assembly for the preservation and peaceful use of the DMZ," and stated, "We plan to pursue consultations with the UNC in cooperation with relevant ministries and support legislative efforts in the National Assembly."