The Lee Jae Myung administration has officially proposed its first inter-Korean military talks since taking office, but North Korea has remained silent for three consecutive days. On Wednesday, government and army officials assessed this silence as somewhat anticipated and reportedly have no immediate plans to make additional proposals to Pyongyang.
Military sources report no unusual activities among North Korean forces on that day. They also noted that there was no mention of the proposed talks in communications between the North Korean military and the United Nations Command.
On Monday, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense proposed military talks to establish a clear military demarcation line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). This proposal, delivered through a statement by Policy Chief Kim Hong-chul, aimed to reduce military tensions arising from repeated North Korean incursions across the MDL during tactical road and fence construction.
The following day, the North Korean state, the Korean Central News Agency, criticized the recent U.S.-South Korea joint fact sheet on tariffs and security, as well as the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) joint statement, labeling them as expressions of confrontational intent. However, Pyongyang remained silent on the proposed military talks.
South Korean military officials have decided to refrain from issuing further proposals or follow-up messages until North Korea responds.
A military source said they were monitoring North Korean movements closely and viewed the silence as largely predictable, adding that the priority for now is stable management of the situation.
Another source recalled that in January 2018, North Korea responded within three days to a proposal for high-level talks from then-Unification Minister Cho Myoung Kyun. While noting that circumstances today are very different, the source said there is a general view that Seoul should avoid moving too quickly.
Officials acknowledge that North Korea is unlikely to accept the proposal immediately. Pyongyang has maintained radio silence since April 2023, when it severed military communication lines with Seoul and ignored informal contacts through the UN Committee to this official proposal.
Analysts suggest that the South Korean proposal aims primarily to reopen dialogue channels rather than merely to establish the MDL baseline.
Given the strong messaging toward North Korea during the U.S.-South Korea summit, the SCM joint statement, and the joint fact sheet, Seoul likely seeks to demonstrate its willingness to engage in dialogue publicly.
As this proposal underwent high-level coordination, any substantial follow-up decisions are expected after President Yoon concludes his Middle East trip. The administration has reportedly adopted a stance of leading inter-Korean dialogue without appearing submissive to Pyongyang.
Separate from the talks proposal, South Korean forces maintain standard operating procedures in the DMZ. They will continue to issue warning broadcasts and warning shots if North Korean troops cross the MDL, consulting with the UN Command if additional measures become necessary.
A government official said that, even with low expectations of a response from North Korea, the administration’s measured actions are part of its efforts to manage tensions. The official added that regardless of prospects for dialogue, the government will work with the military to mitigate risks along the border.