Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

On October 12th, the South and North Korean military authorities held working-level talks as part of the implementation of the military pact signed on September 19th. The Ministry of National Defense announced on Friday that the two Koreas had held military working-level talks at a conference room of the Military Armistice Commission(MAC) near the Military Demarcation Line in the Joint Security Area(JSA) in Panmunjom.

The working-level talks were initiated following a telegram sent from North Korea on October 8th, which was signed by the leader of general-level military talks. Four delegates from each side attended the talks. Army Colonel Cho Yong-geun and Army Colonel Um Chang-nam led the South and the North, respectively.

"In these working-level talks, the two Koreas checked on the progress of removing landmines in the JSA and the area for the joint excavation of war remains, and discussed practical issues such as the demilitarization of the JSA, the inter-Korean joint excavation of war remains and road connection, the withdrawal of guard posts from the jointly-controlled area, and joint research on the Han River estuary. The South and North Korean military authorities will continue to make an effort to implement the military pact signed on September 19th as planned,” the ministry said.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng <guns13@dema.mil.kr >

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