Two Koreas agree to reduce tensions along border
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-05 10:08

South and North Korea took a big step towards easing tension on the last Cold War frontier, agreeing on a range of measures to prevent border clashes and deciding to stop propaganda broadcasts.

The measures reflected a thaw between the armed forces of the countries, which are technically still at war, and a sign of more balanced inter-Korean rapprochement, analysts said.

North Korean delegation leader Army Major General An Ik-san (L) bids farewell at Mt. Seorak. South and North Korea took a big step towards easing tension on the last Cold War frontier, agreeing on a range of measures to prevent border clashes and deciding to stop propaganda broadcasts. [AFP]

After overnight talks, military generals from both sides agreed on ways to avoid accidental clashes in the disputed western sea border, a joint statement said Friday. Naval skirmishes in the fishing grounds off the western coast during the May-June crab season have in past years disrupted rapprochement in the region.

The measures included setting up a telephone hotline, sharing a radio frequency, using joint signaling systems and exchanging information on illicit fishing in the area starting from June 15.

The Northern Limit Line, drawn up by US-led allies at the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, has been a source of naval disputes in the West Sea as North Korea has never recognized the de facto maritime border.

At the latest high-level military talks, the North repeated a demand to redraw the disputed sea border before backing down as the South flatly rejected the demand, Seoul officials said.

Since 1999, both sides have reported dozens of casualties in the maritime border skirmishes. The last clash, in June 2002, left six South Korean sailors dead.

Leaving the tricky maritime border issue unsettled, the two Koreas instead agreed to tackle other tension-reduction matters.

Both Koreas also agreed to stop loudspeaker broadcasts and to dismantle propaganda signboards, aimed at promoting defections, along the 248-kilometer (154-mile) land border by August 15.

Analysts said the agreements showed major progress between the two Koreas, which remain technically in conflict since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in a fragile armistice and not a peace treaty.

"Both sides have taken an initial step to reduce military tensions by agreeing to prevent accidental clashes," said Koh Yu-Hwan, a North Korea expert at Dongkuk University.

"It is also symbolically of great significance for them to pave the way for regular military talks."

Another round of working-level talks is set to open in the North Korean border city of Kaesong next Thursday to discuss ways of implementing the latest agreement, the South's spokesman Colonel Moon Sung-Mook said.

Kim Yeon-Chul, a North Korea expert at Korea University, said the development bodes well for future ties. "Now, South-North Korean relations can move forward with the help of two balanced wheels -- military cooperation as well as economic exchanges," Kim said.

The breakthrough came after tough and extended talks that started on Thursday at South Korea's Mount Seorak resort, 200 kilometers (120 miles) east of the capital, Seoul.

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