U.N. Command says Armistice grants it authority over access to DMZ

Dec. 17 (Asia Today) -- The United Nations Command issued an unusual public statement Tuesday opposing South Korea's ruling party push to enact legislation governing civilian access to the Demilitarized Zone, saying the Korean War Armistice Agreement gives the command authority to control entry to the area.

In a statement titled "Statement on the Authority and Procedures of the UN Command Military Armistice Commission," the UNC said Article 1, Paragraph 10 of the Armistice Agreement assigns responsibility for civilian administration and relief activities south of the Military Demarcation Line within the DMZ to the commander of the United Nations Command.

The UNC said the Military Armistice Commission manages the DMZ and supervises the movement and activities of both military personnel and civilians to ensure compliance with the armistice and preserve stability. It said Article 1, Paragraph 9 grants the United Nations Command authority to control access to the DMZ.

"Except for those engaged in civil administration and relief work, or those granted special permission by the Military Armistice Commission, no one, whether military or civilian, may enter the Demilitarized Zone," the statement said.

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The command added that access requests are reviewed case by case under established procedures to ensure movements within the DMZ are not perceived as provocative or pose safety risks to commission personnel and visitors.

The UNC said the Military Armistice Commission is composed of personnel from UNC member nations, the South Korean military and civilians, and is responsible for managing the DMZ and investigating suspected armistice violations. It said all investigations are conducted with transparency and neutrality.

"We will continue our efforts to uphold the Armistice Agreement and stability on the Korean Peninsula, while maintaining the hopeful expectation that a permanent peace treaty can eventually be concluded," the statement said.

The comments came as Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Jae-gang and Han Jeong-ae have sponsored bills known as the Act on the Peaceful Use of the Demilitarized Zone, which would allow the South Korean government to exercise access rights to the DMZ solely for non-military and peaceful purposes.

South Korea's Ministry of Unification has expressed support for the legislation, saying it agrees with its intent. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has also defended the bill, describing it as an issue of territorial sovereignty.

The UN Command previously said after meeting Cho Won-cheol, head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, that the Armistice Agreement remains a binding framework governing both civilian and military access to the Armistice Control Zone, including the DMZ.

- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI. © Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.