Inter-Korean Military Talks Agree to Measure to Remove Joint Security Area Guards
I think it is important to remember, demilitarizing the DMZ is more beneficial to the North Koreans because the South Koreans are the ones in a defense posture to defend against a North Korean attack. Let’s hope the ROK military representatives slow roll this and don’t make any concessions that threaten the overall security of the country:
South and North Korea agreed Tuesday on the need to turn the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into a peace area and remove firearms from the Joint Security Area (JSA) in a step to end a military standoff along their border.
Seoul and Pyongyang also reached a “broad consensus” to jointly excavate the remains in the DMZ of South Korean and U.S. troops killed during the Korean War.
But the two Koreas failed to reach an agreement on releasing a joint statement, according to the head of the South’s five-member delegation at the generals meeting.
“A trial pullout from guard posts operated by each within the JSA will follow as the two sides shared the understanding to back away from their long-running confrontation since the end of the Korean War,” Major General Kim Do-gyun told reporters. [Korea Times]
You can read more at the link.
If the South Koreans fast-track this, someone needs to make sure the “we are gonna keep troops in Korea” language gets removed from any future defense bills. I served proudly, but I served knowing the ROKs wanted to keep the wolves up North. Walking away from the Z is inviting a second all out attack on the South and I would rather not see the results on the South Koreans or my brothers and sisters along with their families. The Canadian and the Neutral Nations observers are on their own…
Time for USFK to leave. We can’t fix stupid. Why should we be defending the ROK when MJI is giving up the store to KJU.
IMHO! This isn’t 1950. An invasion won’t work on the Western Corridor now as it did then. In 1950 there were few American Advisers and the ROK Army only had light weapons. Don’t make the mistake of preparing for the next war based on the last war, or think the next war will play out like the last. The NORKS aren’t as threatening as they were then.
first USFK needs to make it clear this is unacceptable. second, if it does happen US needs to remove all its forces immediately. If the ROKs don’t want to defend themselves why should we be here?
Ole Tanker, the next war is already be fought and won by nK, with the active help of their agent in the south…commie moon.
This is bad reporting. This meeting lasted for over eight hours and while they did discuss guard posts, excavating remains in the DMZ, etc. — the only thing they actually agreed on was to meet again at an undetermined future date.
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https://www.nknews.org/2018/07/two-koreas-discuss-substantive-steps-towards-relieving-military-tensions/?c=1533133644083
The DPRK and ROK militaries on Tuesday discussed “substantive” steps towards relieving tensions between the two sides, the South Korean chief delegate to the talks said, though ultimately failed to agree on a joint press statement.
The two Koreas held their ninth general-level military talks between 1000 and 1836 local time at the Peace House on the Southern side of Panmunjom – less than two months after a similar meeting in June.
Tuesday saw North and South Korean officials hold multiple meetings, including three rounds of talks between chief delegates.
South Korean chief delegate Kim Do-gyun, who serves as head of the North Korea Policy Bureau at the Ministry of National Defense (MND), told a news briefing following the meetings that the two sides that discussed pending issues.
Kim said the ROK side had been able to “confirm the North Korean stance,” adding talks had covered “substantive measures for the alleviation of inter-Korean military tensions and trust building.”
Plans for joint recovery operations (JRO) of war remains and the mutual withdrawal of guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on a trial basis were also on the agenda, he added, as was the demilitarization of the Joint Security Area (JSA).
During the final round of the meeting, North Korean chief delegate An Ik San, Army Lieutenant General of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), said both sides agreed “on some aspects,” though did not go into further details.
Tuesday’s issues were previously mentioned at a policy briefing at the National Assembly’s defense committee last Tuesday.
Seoul last week unveiled a plan to reduce troops and equipment at guard posts along the DMZ “on a trial basis” as part of measures to transform the DMZ into a “peace zone.”
The MND also said it would push forward with JRO alongside Pyongyang and Washington, in order to implement both inter-Korean and DPRK-U.S. agreements simultaneously.
In June, ROK President Moon Jae-in also said Seoul would pursue the excavation of the remains of South Korean soldiers and police in the DMZ “as a priority” when inter-Korean relations improved.
Talks began at 1000 local time on Tuesday | Photo: Ministry of National Defense
Speaking at the press briefing on Tuesday, ROK chief delegate Kim Do-gyun said he had delivered an invitation from the South Korean vice-defense minister to the North to attend the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), set to be held between September 12 and 14.
This is not the first time the South has sent the invitation, however, according to an MND official who wished to remain anonymous.
Kim added the North Korean side said it would give notice if they can attend following a report to their superiors.
“Our assessment is that the South-North general-level military talks have significance in the sense that both sides reach an agreement to push forward agreements in the military field of the Panmunjom Declaration… and develop a sense of sympathy,” the ROK chief delegate said.
In spite of the absence of a joint press statement, both sides agreed to hold further “in-depth” and “serious” discussions on pending issues at the final round of the meeting.
North Korean chief delegate An Ik San said that his side could understand its counterpart’s view.
“In that perspective, today’s meeting is very productive,” An said, adding Seoul and Pyongyang discussed issues with “historical significance in the history of inter-Korean history.”
“We had an in-depth discussion on the issues,” he added. “I believe we can resolve any kind of issue if we maintain this way.”
“I think we had serious and open-minded dialogue today,” South Korean chief delegate Kim said at the final round of meetings.
“I believe that the South and North Korean military authorities can play a key role in establishing permanent peace on the Korean peninsula if we research more about today’s discussion and each other’s positions and come up with rational measures for the implementation.”
The Norks learned how to hold these meetings with weak-kneed Western liberals in the meetings between UN and PRC in 1951-1953.