Koreas Start Landmine Removal Process From DMZ To Prevent Accidental Clashes

Seoul's defense ministry said Monday that North and South Korea have begun landmine removal work in parts of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two nations. This is being done as part of a recent agreement to prevent accidental clashes and reduce tensions between the two countries.

"Regarding the landmine removal work as the starting point, the military authorities of the two Koreas will make joint efforts to ensure that their military agreement will be carried out systematically and normally," the ministry said in a press release, Yonhap News reported. The work to remove landmines in Arrowhead Ridge in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, will continue till Nov. 30.

Post the historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sept. 18, the two countries' defense heads signed an agreement promising to halt "all hostile acts" against each other and practically eliminate the danger of war.

The leaders plan to disarm the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the DMZ and the work will last for 20 days. Amid the work, the two countries and the UN Command (UNC) are expected to launch trilateral consultations over issues such as the operation of the troops post the disarmament and stationing of 35 troops each from both nations in the JSA.

Koreas are also planning a joint project to excavate Korean War remains in parts of Cheorwon from April 1 to Oct. 31, 2019.

During a parliamentary interpellation session Monday, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon rejected the opposition lawmaker, Rep. Ahn Sang-soo’s claims that the latest summit between the two Koreas would amount to giving up on national defense as the deal calls for reducing armaments along the border.

"Arms reduction is something reciprocal. This can't be done unilaterally. I can't understand why the agreement not to conduct firing drills and maneuvers would mean giving up on national defense,” Lee said, Yonhap News reported.

During the summit, Moon tried to make tangible gains toward a Korean peace treaty and discuss denuclearization in depth with the North Korean leader. At a news conference post the summit, Moon said North Korea has agreed to permanently dismantle its Donchang-ri missile engine test site and launch pad and is willing to allow international inspectors to observe the site. North Korea also agreed to take a step further in closing its Yongbyon nuclear facility, Moon added.

"The South and the North also discussed denuclearization steps for the first time," Moon said at the time, USA Today reported.

Post the press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted saying, "Kim Jong Un has agreed to allow Nuclear inspections, subject to final negotiations, and to permanently dismantle a test site and launch pad in the presence of international experts. In the meantime there will be no Rocket or Nuclear testing."

"The September declaration will open a higher level for the improvement in relations (between the South and the North) ... and bring closer the era of peace and prosperity," Kim said at the time.