Seoul: The United Nations Command (UNC) on Wednesday expressed strong opposition to bills that aim to grant the South Korean government the control of non-military access to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), stating that such measures are "completely at odds" with the existing armistice agreement. The proposal has stirred significant debate as it seeks to shift regulatory authority from the UNC to the South Korean government, thereby affecting the oversight of the military buffer zone that separates North and South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the UNC's objection comes in the wake of legislative efforts by ruling party lawmakers to promote the peaceful utilization of the DMZ by allowing the South Korean government to regulate access. The DMZ, which spans 250 kilometers in length and 4 kilometers in width, remains a sensitive area as the Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically at war.
UNC officials have voiced concerns that the proposed legislation contradicts the armistice agreement. "From a technical reading of the armistice agreement and reading of the bills that are pending, they are completely at odds," a UNC official stated. Furthermore, the official warned that if the legislation is enacted, it could imply that South Korea is no longer adhering to the armistice. This raises questions about the control and responsibility within the DMZ, particularly concerning the role of the UNC commander, who is currently responsible for overseeing activities within the zone.
The issue has garnered attention following Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's support for the bill, which he argues is essential for addressing matters of "territorial sovereignty." This debate intensified after an incident where the deputy national security adviser was denied access to the DMZ, highlighting the complexities of access control.
Additionally, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, who also serves as the UNC commander, emphasized the need to avoid politicizing the DMZ. He expressed concerns about the implications of such legislation on the UNC's authority and responsibilities, noting that any incidents within the DMZ would still fall under the UNC's purview.
The UNC maintains that access denial follows established procedures to comply with regulatory requirements, not arbitrary decisions. While acknowledging the sovereign territory of South Korea within the DMZ, the UNC official clarified that the command operates as a military body without sovereign powers.
In response to these developments, Minister Chung addressed lawmakers in a parliamentary session, asserting that the power to legislate lies with the legislature, thus dismissing the UNC's remarks on the matter.