The South Korean government has begun practical steps to restore the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, known as the “September 19 Agreement,” Korean media reported on Monday.
The Ministry of Defence has submitted a detailed plan to the State Planning Committee for the resumption of this document, which was lost during the escalation of inter-Korean tensions under former president Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to media reports, the government has proposed a comprehensive set of measures aimed at building more constructive relations with Pyongyang and eliminating the possibility of military clashes between the South and the North.
Among the measures proposed are the formation of a special working group within the South Korean government to prepare for inter-Korean military talks, the restoration of military communication lines, and the establishment of a direct telephone channel between the military departments of the South and North – a kind of “hotline” between the headquarters. In addition, it is proposed to resume the work of the joint military committee, which has been frozen since 2019, and to move gradually from technical issues to broader military topics.
The Defence Ministry’s proposal is directly based on President Lee Jae-myung’s election promise to deter North Korea through defence capabilities while maintaining dialogue with it.
“Deterrence based on strength must be combined with efforts to engage in dialogue, seek coexistence and mutual benefit,” the head of state emphasised.
The “September 19 Agreement,” signed in 2018 during the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang, provided for mutual renunciation of hostile acts near the demilitarised zone, dismantling of border posts and joint searches for the remains of those killed during the Korean War.
Military tensions
However, in 2023, following a sharp deterioration in inter-Korean relations, the parties announced its de facto termination. Pyongyang then declared that it was “no longer bound” by its commitments, and Seoul took symmetrical measures.
Plans to restore communication with the North were confirmed by the new First Vice Minister for Unification, Kim Nam-jung, who will officially took office on Monday. In his inaugural speech, he said that the process of “unravelling the knot” of inter-Korean issues should start small – by restoring communication channels, building trust and avoiding hasty actions.
“Peace is more precious than war, no matter how costly it may be,” he said, echoing President Lee’s words and emphasising the need to return to constructive dialogue with Pyongyang “step by step.”
Nowadays, all inter-Korean communication channels, including the military hotline and the inter-agency communication centre, remain unilaterally blocked by the DPRK. South Korean operators continue to make daily attempts to call, but there has been no response since April 2023. As emphasised in Seoul, the restoration of the 2018 military agreement will depend on Pyongyang’s willingness to take reciprocal steps and will take place “in stages, depending on the level of mutual trust.”
