Working-level meetings for the Inter-Korean General-Level Military Talks took place in Gaeseong from June 10 to 12. At the meeting, delegations from the South and the North discussed practical agenda issues for implementing the agreement reached at the second Inter-Korean General-Level Military Talks.
As the two sides agreed on practical issues for easing military tensions on the Korean peninsula, both sides will take full measures to prevent accidental naval clashes in the West Sea and cease propaganda activities at the Military Demarcation Line completely as of June 15.
As the first step to that end, on June 14, the South and the North tested telecommunications in the West Sea to confirm whether they were functioning smoothly between vessels from both sides. For two hours, starting from 9 a.m., naval vessels from both Koreas communicated successfully with each other wirelessly for the first time since the Armistice Treaty was concluded in 1953, using international standard radio frequencies in five naval districts near the NLL in the West Sea.
Such actions will contribute significantly toward laying the groundwork for reducing military tensions on the Korean peninsula in the future.
Major points agreed upon at the working-level meeting are as follows:
A. Prevention of Accidental Naval Clashes in the West Sea
o In order to prevent accidental naval clashes in the West Sea, both sides will establish and use common radio frequencies (156.80 MHz, 156.60 MHz) to avoid misunderstandings between ships from both Koreas. In cases where they are unable to use common radio frequencies, they will convert them into some other radio frequencies.
o If they are unable to communicate with each other using common radio frequencies, or if a vessel unavoidably approaches the other due to engine troubles, disasters, or poor water conditions, they are to use marine signal flags and lights as agreed.
o Both Koreas agreed to exchange information on the movement of illegal fishing vessels at least once a day.
o Meanwhile, the two sides will connect a new telecommunications line on Aug. 12 to prevent accidental naval clashes in the West Sea, and discuss details on the establishment and operation of the telecommunications line and a liaison office at working-level talks on telecommunications in June.
B. Cessation of Propaganda Activities at the Military Demarcation Line and the Elimination of Propaganda Tools
o Both Koreas will cease all propaganda activities at the Military Demarcation Line starting from June 15 at 00:00 in order to reduce tensions in the vicinity of the military demarcation line.
o From June 16 to Aug. 15, both sides will eliminate propaganda tools in three phases. Tools subject to elimination include all loudspeakers, stone inscriptions, signboards, standing electronic boards, display panels, leaflets, propaganda images, slogans etc. in the Military Demarcation Line areas that propagandize one's ideological system and are deemed by the other party as slander, defamation or instigation.
o On the final date of each phase, each side shall release its respective results of the elimination and verification.
