North Korea, South Korea begin removing landmines along fortified border

By Joori Roh

 

South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a luncheon, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 21, 2018. KCNA via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - Troops from North and South Korea began removing some landmines along their heavily fortified border on Monday, the South's defence ministry said, as part of a pact to reduce tension and build trust on the divided peninsula.

 

Project details were agreed during last month's summit in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, between its leader, Kim Jong Un, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

 

In a statement, the ministry said the two sides agreed to remove all landmines in the so-called Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom within the next 20 days, with military engineers performing the hazardous task on the South Korean side.

 

There was no immediate confirmation from North Korea that its troops had begun the process.

 

The deal also provides for removal of guard posts and weapons from the JSA to follow the removal of the mines, with the troops remaining there to be left unarmed.

 

The JSA is the only spot along the 250-km (155-mile) -long "demilitarised zone" (DMZ) where troops from both Koreas are face to face, and it is also staffed by United Nations troops.

 

In November 2017, North Korean troops at the JSA shot one of their soldiers defecting to the South five times.

 

Since then, however, it has been the scene of the first dramatic April summit between Kim and Moon, as well as their second, more low-key meeting, in May.

 

At the April summit, the two Koreas announced their intention to turn the DMZ - long a symbol of tension and division - into a "peace zone."

They have already dismantled propaganda loudspeakers and some guard posts along the border.

 

Demining projects are also set to begin on Monday in Gangwon province in eastern South Korea, to allow teams to search for the remains of soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War, the ministry added.

 

More than a million landmines were laid in border areas including the DMZ and the Civilian Control Zone in the South, say demining experts, and civilians and soldiers alike have been killed or injured by them.

 

In 2015, two South Korean soldiers were maimed by what Seoul said was a North Korean landmine, an accusation the North denied.

 

(Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-01

 

Good signs of progress between these two nations.   The South Korean President was elected on a promise to get relations with the North back on track and he seems to be making good on that promise.

2 hours ago, attrayant said:

Good signs of progress between these two nations.   The South Korean President was elected on a promise to get relations with the North back on track and he seems to be making good on that promise.

Coupled with a little nudging from Trump, amazing progress. 

A "step" in the right direction!!

Many like to talk bad about Trump but he is the only president that has LOWERED the tension in the area.  So far, so good.

Yes, careful step by careful step is what is required. Any significant - or even quite small - misstep and the whole process freezes or returns to Go.

Now even the 2 Koreas are talking.  Starting to remove land mines. Good small  steps.  Let's hope it continues.

6 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

Coupled with a little nudging from Trump, amazing progress. 

 

Are you trying to make the entire United Nations assembly laugh out loud again?

An off topic post has been removed. 

 

Edit:  A re-post of an off topic post has been removed. 

Edited October 1, 20187 yr by metisdead

A positive and Progressive South Korean leader showing strength but also allowing the free flow of Diplomacy to sooth tensions between north and South. Kim is also obviously taking a more pragmatic view. A long way to go but very good first steps.

3 hours ago, Kiwiken said:

A positive and Progressive South Korean leader showing strength but also allowing the free flow of Diplomacy to sooth tensions between north and South. Kim is also obviously taking a more pragmatic view. A long way to go but very good first steps.

Yes, Trump is teaching all his Pacific allies - the Sth Koreans, the Japanese and even the Australians - to grow up & take their own initiatives. About time!

The North gives a little, gains a lot each time. Mines are a defensive weapon. They limit lanes of attack for each side. After all mines are removed, and talks stumble, which side is going to feel more pressured? The North could surely pour through such feeble defenses before the U.S. could send reinnforcements. It's not about an imminent attack, it's about bargaining position.

Edited October 2, 20187 yr by Mac98
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