Two Koreas to hold general-level military talks in May, turn DMZ into 'peace zone'
- 6 years ago
Lowering military tensions on the Korean Peninsula was another one of the three major agendas set by the leaders of South and North Korea.
Moon and Kim agreed to cease all hostile acts near the DMZ starting May 1st... and to discuss specific measures at general-level military talks next month.
All of this is happening a matter of months after it looked like war could break out at any time on the Korean peninsula.
Oh Jung-hee has more.
The first military talks in three years are expected to be held next month -- as part of efforts to lower military tension on the Korean Peninsula... and eliminate the possibility of war.
At the summit talks on Friday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed... that the military authorities of Seoul and Pyongyang will, from now on, meet frequently.
They sealed the deal... to hold a general-level military talks in May... for de-escalating tensions at both their land and maritime borders.
Hostile acts at the border area will be ceased as well.
"The two sides agreed to end all hostile acts near the military demarcation line as of May 1st. That includes turning off loudspeaker broadcasts and stopping the distribution of propaganda leaflets. We also agreed to transform the current demilitarized zone into a truly demilitarized, peace zone."
That involves simply carrying out what's already been stipuated in the 1953 armistice agreement -- removing military forces in areas of up to two kilometers north and south of the inter-Korean border.
If carried out,... Seoul sees this as contributing greatly to preventing accidental clashes.
At the joint press announcement after the talks,... North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized... there should be no more confrontation between the two Koreas.
"Above all, we have agreed that we are willing to usher in a new era on a peaceful peninsula, and we discussed practical measures. Living in such close proximity, we are not peoples of different nations that must fight against each other, but one people that shares the same blood and must live in harmony."
"Leaders of Seoul and Pyongyang reaffirmed their will to not use military force in any form... and agreed to gradually disarm both sides of the border... as they strive to alleviate military tension and make progress in building mutual trust. Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News."
Moon and Kim agreed to cease all hostile acts near the DMZ starting May 1st... and to discuss specific measures at general-level military talks next month.
All of this is happening a matter of months after it looked like war could break out at any time on the Korean peninsula.
Oh Jung-hee has more.
The first military talks in three years are expected to be held next month -- as part of efforts to lower military tension on the Korean Peninsula... and eliminate the possibility of war.
At the summit talks on Friday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed... that the military authorities of Seoul and Pyongyang will, from now on, meet frequently.
They sealed the deal... to hold a general-level military talks in May... for de-escalating tensions at both their land and maritime borders.
Hostile acts at the border area will be ceased as well.
"The two sides agreed to end all hostile acts near the military demarcation line as of May 1st. That includes turning off loudspeaker broadcasts and stopping the distribution of propaganda leaflets. We also agreed to transform the current demilitarized zone into a truly demilitarized, peace zone."
That involves simply carrying out what's already been stipuated in the 1953 armistice agreement -- removing military forces in areas of up to two kilometers north and south of the inter-Korean border.
If carried out,... Seoul sees this as contributing greatly to preventing accidental clashes.
At the joint press announcement after the talks,... North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized... there should be no more confrontation between the two Koreas.
"Above all, we have agreed that we are willing to usher in a new era on a peaceful peninsula, and we discussed practical measures. Living in such close proximity, we are not peoples of different nations that must fight against each other, but one people that shares the same blood and must live in harmony."
"Leaders of Seoul and Pyongyang reaffirmed their will to not use military force in any form... and agreed to gradually disarm both sides of the border... as they strive to alleviate military tension and make progress in building mutual trust. Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News."