Military hopes for summit breakthrough in easing border tension

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military said Friday the inter-Korean summit talks next week may lead the two Koreas to let their guards down along the heavily-fortified border.

The South's President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to meet with his northern counterpart Kim Jong-un at the border village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) next Friday. Among key agenda items are denuclearization and ways to reduce military tensions.

Some floated the idea of the two sides withdrawing heavy weapons and guard posts (GPs) from the DMZ that bisects the peninsula.

A senior Ministry of National Defense official said it's not an easy task but discussing the issue can be a "meaningful first step." The official was briefing reporters on the ministry's position related to what would be the third inter-Korean summit.

It would be unprecedented for the leaders of the Koreas to sit down together in the DMZ.

The South has more than 60 GPs there, versus around 160 run by the North, according to an informed source.

Even if the leaders strike a related agreement, it would take a relatively long time to implement it, added the ministry official.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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