North Korea blows up frontline bunkers
Pyongyang blew up ten guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone on 20 November as the two Koreas pursue a reconciliation drive, even while denuclearisation talks stall between the US and the North.
The move is one of the steps agreed during the Pyongyang summit between the South's President Moon Jae-in and the North's leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in September.
The North told the South that it would blow up the ten facilities almost simultaneously, Seoul's defence ministry said, adding that Southern soldiers ‘observed and confirmed the guard posts were completely ruined at the announced time’.
Seoul has been tearing down ten guard posts of its own, mostly using excavators, a defence ministry spokesman said.
The North has more of the facilities - which include both surface structures and underground elements - and according to Yonhap news agency the move will leave it with around 150 in the area, with the South having about 50.
President Moon has pursued a policy of engagement with its isolated, nuclear-armed neighbour, in increasing contrast to Washington, which insists pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it denuclearises.
Despite its name the area around the DMZ is one of the most fortified places on earth, replete with minefields and barbed-wire fences.
But under plans to ease tensions agreed in Pyongyang, the two Koreas are demilitarising the border truce village of Panmunjom, to leave it manned by 35 unarmed personnel from each side.
Officially called the Joint Security Area (JSA), the enclave is the only spot along the 250km frontier where soldiers from the two Koreas and the US-led UN Command stand face-to-face.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
