Korea
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Defense Ministry calls Brunson's DMZ remarks a personal view; UN Command offers clarification
The Defense Ministry characterized Commander Xavier Brunson's remarks that the Republic of Korea begins at the southern fence of the Demilitarized Zone as a personal view. United Nations Command said the remarks described management responsibilities under the Armistice Agreement and were separate from territorial sovereignty.
The Defense Ministry characterized remarks by Xavier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea and United Nations Command, that the Republic of Korea begins at the southern fence of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), as a personal view. UN Command said the remarks concerned management responsibilities under the Armistice Agreement and were separate from the Republic of Korea's territorial sovereignty.
The Defense Ministry said on the 18th that its position on the Republic of Korea's territorial sovereignty remained firm. It also said it would cooperate closely to ensure that the Republic of Korea's exercise of sovereignty within the DMZ and UN Command's armistice management work in harmony.
UN Command said there was no question about the Republic of Korea's sovereignty. It explained that Brunson's remarks described responsibilities within the DMZ and Joint Security Area (JSA) assigned to the UN Command commander under the Armistice Agreement.
UN Command said those responsibilities include military administration, civil administration and civilian relief within the DMZ south of the Military Demarcation Line. Its position is that these duties are military and administrative in nature and distinct from the Republic of Korea's sovereignty.
The statement that the Republic of Korea begins at the southern fence was qualified as reflecting UN Command's perspective. The reason given in the remarks was that the area was being managed to maintain the armistice.
Earlier, in January, the government and UN Command clashed after the ruling party pursued a DMZ law that would give the South Korean government authority to approve entry into the DMZ for nonmilitary purposes. UN Command objected at the time, saying the proposed legislation conflicted with the Armistice Agreement.