Explanation on the Results of the
Explanation on the Results of the
Fifth Inter-Korean General-level Military Talks
1. Overview
o The South and North Korea held the Fifth Inter-Korean General-level Military Talks at Tongilgak, in the Northern side of Panmunjom, from May 8 to 11, 2007. The two sides discussed military assurances regarding inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, including military guarantee of the inter-Korean railways and roads; and the two sides discussed measures to ease tension and establish peace on the Korean peninsula such as preventing armed clashes in the West Sea and cooperating in joint fishing. The two sides announced a joint press statement, which included six-point agreement in this regard, as well as a provisional agreement to provide a military guarantee for the test run of inter-Korean railways slated to take place on May 17.
2. Meaning and significance
o This round of talks mark the resumption of inter-Korean general-level military talks in a year. The military talks, which came to a halt in May 2006, resumed to provide anew a forum of consultation between the military authorities of the two Koreas to provide assurances and support for inter-Korean cooperation projects. Also, the joint press statement that was released was the first time in seven years since the last joint statement, which was announced in September of 2000 following the Inter-Korean Defense Ministers' Talks.
o As the two Koreas agreed to continue their discussions on preventing armed clashes in the West Sea as well as to cooperate in joint fishing, the two sides were able to confirm the willingness of military authorities of both sides to reduce military tension and build confidence.
o This round of talks also produced a provisional agreement to provide military assurance for the test runs of the railways, and the two sides agreed to continue their discussion to adopt an agreement to provide military guarantees for the operation of inter-Korean railways and roads.
o Agreement to provide military assurances for cooperation projects such as prevention of flooding along Imjin River and the joint excavation of sand and gravel at Han River has given a thrust to the cooperation projects that were agreed in the past but were delayed due to the lack of military assurances.
3. Major Agreements
1) The two sides agreed to continue their discussion on prevention of armed clashes in the West Sea and the establishment of joint fishing to realize military tension reduction and establish peace. They agreed to continue consultations on the above matter and to further discuss the details at the working-level military talks.
2) The two sides agreed on military guarantee measures necessary for inter-Korean cooperation and exchanges such as the test runs of inter-Korean railway lines slated for May 17, flood prevention of Imjin River and excavation of sand and gravel at the mouth of Han River. The two sides agreed to continue their discussion on adopting an agreement on military guarantee for the operations of inter-Korean railways and roads.
3) The two sides reaffirmed to implement the inter-Korean military agreements that were previously adopted such as the agreement to prevent accidental clashes in the West Sea and removing propagandas along the military demarcation line. The two sides agreed to actively implement the measures and notify each other of any problems so as to increase confidence.
4) The two sides agreed to cooperate to hold the Second Defense Ministers' Talks at an early time. The two sides have already agreed to hold the second round of Defense Ministers' talks during the first Defense Ministers' talks in September 2000 and in working-level military talks held in October of 2002. The South side emphasized that there were numerous occasions during the ministerial talks where the two sides agreed to hold dialogue between the military authorities. The North side was negative about holding the second round of Defense Ministers' talks in the beginning, but after much persuasion, the North agreed to actively cooperate on the matter.
5) The two sides agreed to hold the Sixth Inter-Korean General-Level Military Talks in July. By agreeing on the next meeting, a basis for continued discussions on tension reduction and military assurances for inter-Korean cooperation projects has been established.
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