South Korea proposes creating a peace zone along the MDL
Retired Brigadier General Cho Yong-geun proposed that South Korea consider creating a “Peace Zone along the Military Demarcation Line” on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone. According to columnist Lee Kyung-hee, former editor-in-chief of The Korea Herald, the move could become part of a strategy for the peaceful coexistence of the two Koreas amid North Korea’s strengthening of fortifications near the border. This was reported in an opinion piece by The Korea Herald.
Fortifications in the Demilitarized Zone
The Demilitarized Zone, approximately 250 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide, was established after the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. Under the agreement, the sides were to withdraw their forces 2 kilometers from the Military Demarcation Line, but more military facilities and defensive structures later appeared in and around the zone.
According to the author, after inter-Korean relations were declared relations between “two hostile states,” North Korea stepped up work in the Demilitarized Zone. This includes installing fences, clearing areas, laying mines and repairing roads. Some fences were reportedly erected as close as 100 meters from the Military Demarcation Line. The United Nations Command says defensive work does not violate the armistice if it is carried out north of this line.
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Proposal to reduce tensions
Lee Kyung-hee also cited South Korea’s Ministry of Defense data on Pyongyang’s plans to deploy new 240-mm and 600-mm multiple launch rocket systems, self-propelled artillery and tactical missiles in border areas. The column notes that the 600-mm KN-25 system can carry tactical nuclear warheads.
Cho Yong-geun, a former director for North Korea policy at the Ministry of National Defense, also called on Seoul to restore the provisions of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, which are no longer in force, banning hostile acts in border areas. The columnist stressed that direct military communication between the South and the North is largely not functioning, so an accidental incident near the Military Demarcation Line could lead to rapid escalation.
