The North-South Military Joint Committee, which North Korea neglected for 30 years, proposes to open again

President Moon Jae-in announced at a press conference on the 18th that he could discuss with the South-North Military Joint Commission on the ROK-US joint exercise. However, it is unclear whether North Korea will receive it.

Many analyzes say that President Moon’s’proposal’ is a response to the’non-essential’ remarks made by the Chairman of the State Council Kim Jong-un on the 5th~7th of the Labor Party’s 8th Congress of the Labor Party. Chairman Kim stipulated as’non-essential’ the individual tourism of Mt. Geumgang, humanitarian cooperation, and quarantine cooperation, which the South Korean government had pursued to resume inter-Korean relations throughout the year. At the same time, he criticized the cessation of ROK-US joint training and strengthening Korea’s defense capabilities. When Chairman Kim devalued the cooperation project that the Ministry of Unification and others had proposed to break through inter-Korean relations, it seems that President Moon directly proposed the’essential’ issue.

A former government official said, “President Moon and Chairman Kim exchanged their opinions in an indirect and open manner in a situation where inter-Korean channels are currently blocked.” It seems to be” he said.

The problem is the South-North Military Joint Commission. The Inter-Korean Military Joint Commission was a matter promised by the two Koreas in 1991 during the Roh Tae-woo administration. At that time, it stipulated in the basic agreement between the two Koreas, “The South and the North will form and operate the Inter-Korean Military Joint Commission within three months after this agreement enters into force for the implementation and guarantee of inviolability.” However, it has not been in operation until now 30 years, let alone 3 months. The ROK Military Joint Commission was re-added to the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration (Military Agreement) made during President Moon’s 2018 visit to Pyongyang in 2018, and the government expected that it would serve as a window for discussions on easing military tensions between the two Koreas. The two Koreas also agreed on installation and operation at the 10th general meeting in October of that year. However, there has been no progress since North Korea cut off inter-Korean relations.
The reason why the Joint Military Commission has not been operated for 30 years even after the agreement in 1991 is because inter-Korean relations have fluctuated between spring and winter, but the fundamental reason lies in North Korea. This is because North Korea shows a passive attitude or does not respond at a critical point in operating the Joint Military Commission. In this regard, many analysts say that North Korea is reluctant to deal with South Korea over the military field, which is regarded as a’swordsman’ to maintain the regime and a pressure card for the United States. Why would they discuss the’disarmament issue’ with the United States directly?
Defense Ministry spokesman Bu Seung-chan said on the 19th, “The military is in a position that any issues for easing military tensions between the two Koreas can be discussed through military talks such as the Inter-Korean Military Joint Committee.” It is interpreted as an announcement following President Moon’s mention of the Military Joint Commission the day before. However, controversy is expected even if North Korea accepts President Moon’s proposal to discuss it at the Military Joint Commission. The ROK-US joint training is a matter to be decided between the ROK-US leadership, but the decision of the two Koreas over it could have a negative effect on the ROK-US alliance. If the ROK-US agreement has not been reached on the joint exercise, but only when the two Koreas agree on a reduction or suspension, this may be the starting point for the dissolution of the ROK-US military alliance.

Reporters Jeong Yong-soo and Lee Chul-jae [email protected]