▲ Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks during a parliamentary audit by the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on October 7.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young assessed that North Korea's so-called "border fortification" efforts raise concerns that buffer zone regulations between the two Koreas could be undermined, expressing the view that the government must consult with the United Nations Command (UNC) to address the issue.
Minister Chung gave this response today (October 7) during a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Unification held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue in Jongno-gu, when asked by Representative Kim Gunn of the People Power Party about measures to address concerns over the armistice regime being undermined.
Representative Kim asked about the government's measures against the potential neutralization of the armistice regime, saying, "If the border fortification work continues all the way through, the 2-kilometer buffer zone on the North's side will ultimately disappear, leaving only our 2-kilometer buffer zone."
Minister Chung explained, "Our government has continued to raise concerns regarding (North Korea's) barbed-wire fences, tactical roads, and landmine placement, which have the effect of nullifying the Armistice Agreement, but regrettably, the United Nations Command regarded this (North Korea's border fortification work) as serving a defensive purpose."
He went on to point out, "I believe the UNC had taken a somewhat complacent attitude prior to this (DMZ landmine explosion) incident."
Minister Chung said, "While the UNC had maintained the view that this was not a violation of the Armistice Agreement, it has ruled this recent landmine incident as an armistice violation," adding, "Therefore, our pressing task is to hold close consultations between us and the UNC on how to rectify the fact that the armistice regime is being disregarded."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.