On Friday, the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of National Defense jointly held a workshop at the Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters to strengthen capabilities for potential future military talks between North and South Korea.
The Defense Ministry announced plans to establish a task force (TF) comprised of veterans from previous inter-Korean negotiations to enhance expertise and continuity. Additionally, they intend to rename the North Korean Policy Division under the Defense Policy Office to the North Korean Affairs Division.
The Ministry recently issued a legislative notice for revising the organizational structure, explaining that this name change aims to reinforce the legitimacy of policies related to inter-Korean military dialogues and trust-building initiatives with North Korea.
Pentagon officials expressed hope for a positive response from Pyongyang and for the swift establishment of a forum to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas. They emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness for inter-Korean military talks through close collaboration with relevant agencies.
The Unification Ministry clarified that this workshop, held at the recently restored Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters, was designed to assess readiness for potential military talks and facilitate information sharing among pertinent departments.
Looking ahead, the Unification Ministry plans to expand its capacity for sector-specific negotiations through continued interagency cooperation, preparing for the possible resumption of inter-Korean dialogue. The Ministry underscored its commitment to these efforts as a crucial first step towards achieving peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula by 2026.
In November, the Defense Ministry formally proposed military talks with North Korea to address discrepancies in the interpretation of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). However, Pyongyang has yet to respond to this overture.
North Korea has violated the MDL 17 times this year. Most incidents are believed to be related to North Korean forces constructing barriers or laying mines in the border region.