South Korea’s unification ministry announced plans to consult with the UN Command regarding the reopening of three trail sections within the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). These sections, part of the DMZ Peace Trail, were closed in 2019 due to national security concerns amid tensions with North Korea. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed commitment to reopening the trails during a recent visit to one of the closed sections in Goseong.
The ministry aims to restore the closed DMZ trail sections within the year, as part of its policy plans reported last month. However, the reopening may face opposition from the U.S-led UNC, responsible for overseeing the DMZ. The ministry intends to move forward with the plan through consultations with the UNC, emphasizing that the armistice does not prohibit peaceful use of the DMZ.
The UNC, which administers the DMZ under the Armistice Agreement, highlighted that the walking paths within the DMZ are under its jurisdiction. It stated that access to the DMZ is carefully reviewed for safety, security, and compliance with the armistice, emphasizing stability on the Korean Peninsula as a top priority.
