South Korea prepares to halt military actions at border with North Korea: Details
Photo: South Korea is preparing to cease military operations on the border with North Korea (Getty Images)
South Korea has announced its intention to reinstate an agreement that would halt military activities along the border with North Korea. The deal was signed in 2018 but later broke down as cross-border tensions spiked, Reuters reports.
During a speech marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced plans to reinstate the so-called Comprehensive Military Agreement of September 19.
The document, signed during the 2018 inter-Korean summit, was suspended due to rising tensions. In June 2024, former President Yoon Suk Yeol completely suspended the agreement after Pyongyang, in November 2023, sent hundreds of rubbish-stuffed balloons across the border.
“Everyone knows that the long drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas,” Lee said during his speech in Seoul.
South Korean President stressed that his government had already taken a number of steps to reduce tensions - from halting the launch of propaganda leaflets via balloons to stopping loudspeaker broadcasts along the heavily militarised border.
“In particular, to prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korea and to build military trust, we will take proactive, gradual steps to restore the September 19 Military Agreement,” Lee stated, without specifying a timeline.
The South Korean leader expressed hope that North Korea would respond to his initiative with reciprocity.
At the same time, experts believe that Pyongyang may ignore or even condemn this proposal, given past experience and skepticism toward Seoul’s efforts.
Lee is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump this month, and on August 23, he will visit Japan for talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
What we know about conflict between two countries
The conflict between South Korea and North Korea has been ongoing since the mid-20th century and has its roots in events following World War II.
In 1945, Korea, which had been under Japanese occupation, was divided along the 38th parallel: a communist regime backed by the USSR was established in the north, while a pro-American government took power in the south.
This confrontation led to the Korean War of 1950–1953, which ended with a ceasefire but not a peace treaty. Since then, the two countries have officially remained in a state of war.
Although there have been periodic attempts at dialogue, no significant reconciliation has taken place. The main obstacles remain North Korea’s nuclear program, joint South Korea-US military exercises, and deep ideological differences.
In June 2024, North Korea sent trash-filled balloons into South Korea.
In April 2025, North Korean troops crossed into South Korea, prompting warning shots to be fired.
