Koreas to discuss removing arms from Panmunjom with U.N. Command: new defense chief

SEOUL, Sept. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new defense chief said Monday South Korea will discuss with North Korea and the U.N. Command the removal of arms from the truce village of Panmunjom, which is inside the heavily-fortified Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas.

The U.S.-led U.N. Command oversees the Armistice Agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo made the comments during a visit to a South Korean front-line unit in the Joint Security Area, according to the ministry.

Last week, South and North Korea agreed to begin to remove landmines near the Joint Security Area from Oct. 1 to Oct. 20 as the first step to removing arms from the area, also known as Panmunjom.

The two sides also agreed to halt military drills near the military demarcation line and withdraw some border guard posts as part of efforts to reduce military tensions, prevent accidental clashes and build trust.

Also Monday, Jeong visited another front-line unit and instructed troops to come up with thorough measures to keep readiness even if some border guard posts are withdrawn.

entropy@yna.co.kr
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