South Korean President Revives "Military Agreement" to Build "Trust" with North Korea

SadaNews - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged today (Friday) to build trust with North Korea and to revive a "military agreement" aimed at reducing border tensions between the two countries, despite Pyongyang's announcement the day before that it was not interested in improving relations with Seoul.

Since his election last June, Yoon has been seeking to establish unconditional dialogue with Pyongyang, a position contrary to that of his hardline predecessor.

The new South Korean president stated that he would work to activate a military agreement made in 2018 between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former South Korean president Moon Jae-in to reduce tensions at the border, before his country suspended its implementation in 2024.

The agreement stipulates the establishment of buffer zones on land and at sea, as well as no-fly zones over the border to prevent any confrontations.

Yoon confirmed in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the country's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, that the South Korean government will take measures "to significantly reduce tensions and restore trust" with the North.

According to the Institute for Unification Studies in Seoul, the anniversary of liberation from Japan on August 15 is the only official holiday celebrated in both North and South Korea.

Yoon stated: "We express our respect for the existing regime in the North," adding that Seoul "does not intend to engage in hostile actions."

The South Korean president expressed hope that "North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue."

This speech comes a day after Kim Yo Jong, sister of the North Korean leader, stated that the North "does not wish to improve relations" with the South.

She also denied reports about North Korea dismantling loudspeakers that broadcast propaganda along the border.

The South Korean military stated in June that the two countries had stopped mutual propaganda along the demilitarized zone, adding last week that it observed North Korean forces dismantling loudspeakers.