Politics
10:57, 01-Nov-2018
DPRK, ROK halt all 'hostile' military acts near border
Updated
09:56, 04-Nov-2018
["china"]
Share
Copied
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Thursday ceased all "hostile acts" against each other as port of efforts to implement the Pyongyang Declaration, which was signed by the leaders of both countries, Yonhap reported citing the South's Defense Ministry.
The agreement was signed on September 19, during the third summit between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and ROK President Moon Jae-in. It says the North and the South will stop all hostility in land, sea and air space.
The two sides will create a buffer zone in border areas aimed at preventing accidental clashes and avoid war, according to the agreement.
DPRK's coastline artillery is seen covered and closed on a Yellow Sea border island, October 31, 2018, a day before its tension-reducing agreement with the South takes effect. /Yonhap Photo
DPRK's coastline artillery is seen covered and closed on a Yellow Sea border island, October 31, 2018, a day before its tension-reducing agreement with the South takes effect. /Yonhap Photo
They are also banned from conducting live-fire artillery drills and regiment-level field maneuvering exercises or those by bigger units within five kilometers of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).
No-fly zones have been established along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as well to ban the operation of drones, helicopters and other aircraft over an area up to 40 km away from the MDL.
They have also created peace zones near their disputed Yellow Sea border.
Kim and Moon used their third summit and reached consensus to take certain steps towards ending military tensions and achieving complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, meaning a de facto end to the Korean War.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) and ROK president Moon Jae-in watch a gymnastic and artistic show at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, DPRK. /VCG Photo
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) and ROK president Moon Jae-in watch a gymnastic and artistic show at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, DPRK. /VCG Photo
Besides the latest military progress, the two sides also made timetables regarding humanitarian and logistics talks.
On October 15, both sides agreed to break ground for road and railway connections in late November or early December, hold a Red Cross meeting in November and hold general-level military talks as soon as possible.
The two will also start their sports talks later this week to discuss co-hosting the 2032 Olympics.