Newsletters
South Korea on Monday criticized North Korea's intensified border fencing near the inter-Korean border, calling the installation of barriers close to the Military Demarcation Line a violation of the armistice agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, local media reported.
The criticism from South Korea's military came after reports that North Korea had built fences very close to the border separating the two Koreas, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Local media, citing military sources, reported earlier that Pyongyang had installed barbed wire fences just 80-90 meters, or 87-98 yards, from the Military Demarcation Line, or MDL.
The MDL separates the two Koreas and runs through the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, which serves as a buffer zone between South Korea and North Korea.
"The North Korean military's installation of barriers along the MDL is a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement, and our military will continue to respond in close cooperation with the United Nations Command (UNC)," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, or JCS, said in a statement.
The JCS said South Korea's military is closely monitoring North Korea's military activities along the border area and maintaining border security.
There was no immediate reaction from Pyongyang to Seoul's statement.
South Korea views North Korea's defense buildup near the border as a violation of the armistice agreement because the DMZ extends 2 kilometers, or 1.24 miles, on each side of the MDL to restrict troops and heavy weapons near the border.
South Korea has also erected tactical fences to connect front-line guard posts. However, those fences are reportedly not positioned nearly as close to the MDL as the North Korean barriers.
The United Nations Command, which administers and enforces the armistice agreement, struck a more cautious tone in a separate statement.
The UNC said the border measures "do not automatically constitute" violations of the agreement.
"When appropriate, UNC addresses Armistice-related concerns through established mechanisms and remains committed to preserving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," it added.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
