SEOUL – South Korea’s highest-ranking military official, along with the commander of the United States-led United Nations Command (UNC), conducted an inspection of a central front-line unit this week. This visit was focused on observing activities along the North Korean border, as stated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Friday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Admiral Kim Myung-soo and General Paul LaCamera visited the unit within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. The visit, which took place on Thursday, followed North Korea’s recent decision to terminate a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement aimed at preventing clashes along the border.
Since the cancellation of the agreement, North Korea has reportedly started re-establishing guard posts and deploying heavy weaponry within the DMZ, as noted by South Korea’s defense ministry. During their visit, Admiral Kim and General LaCamera observed the changes in the border area, including North Korea’s efforts to restore guard posts. They also evaluated the readiness of the units stationed there.
The UNC, which General LaCamera also leads as the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of the armistice agreement of the 1950-53 Korean War. This visit comes in the wake of heightened tensions, as North Korea had vowed on November 23 to reinstate all measures previously halted under the 2018 agreement. This declaration was in response to South Korea’s partial suspension of the deal, which was a protest against North Korea’s successful launch of a military spy satellite earlier in the month.