The American-led United Nations Command (UNC) has stated that the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) marking the boundary between the two Koreas falls under its authority, objecting to South Korea's internal revision of land border rules aimed at preventing accidental clashes with North Korea. This comes amid a surge in North Korean soldiers crossing the MDL near the border. The UNC emphasized that any military dialogue on the MDL must be conducted under its auspices, as per the armistice agreement.
The American-led United Nations Command (UNC) stated to Yonhap News Agency on December 28 that "the United Nations Command reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the Armistice Agreement, including the MDL, and to supporting measures that prevent escalation and promote stability within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)." This appears to be an objection to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, which last week ordered troops to prioritize MDL markers in decisions, while comprehensively applying the South Korean military map and the UNC's line connecting MDL markers when they are hard to discern.
The UNC noted that the Military Demarcation Line was established and depicted in Map Volume I of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, following armistice negotiations. Critics argue this move favors North Korean troops by permitting the use of a line drawn farther south to determine border crossings.
Regarding Seoul's proposal last month for military talks with Pyongyang to clarify the MDL amid a surge in North Korean soldiers crossing it while working near the border, the UNC stressed that such dialogue must be conducted "under the auspices of the command," as stipulated in the armistice agreement.
This statement follows the UNC's rare objection earlier this month to a bill by ruling party lawmakers seeking to grant the South Korean government control over non-military access to the DMZ. "Since 1953, UNC has been the successful administrator of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a role that has been essential in maintaining stability, especially amid periods of heightened inter-Korean tensions," the UNC said. It cited Article 1 of the armistice agreement, outlining the UNC chief's responsibilities—doubling as the U.S. Forces Korea commander—and the jurisdiction granting control of access to the UNC Military Armistice Commission.
