The South Korean defense ministry announced a plan to reduce the Civilian Control Line (CCL) along the inter-Korean border, allowing wider civilian access and promoting regional growth. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that the CCL, currently within 10 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), will be shortened to an average of 6 km. The adjustment aims to adapt to changing security environments while maintaining operational conditions.
The CCL, established after the Korean War to limit public access and safeguard military sites, will see its boundaries adjusted to address concerns of local residents and facilitate land development. The government’s initiative, under the Lee Jae Myung administration, involves reclassifying the CCL from a Controlled Protection Zone to a Restricted Protection Zone. This change will permit land development and construction with proper approvals on approximately 270 square km of land.
In addition to the CCL modifications, the defense ministry plans to lift restrictions on around 450 square km of the Restricted Protection Zone for private property development. The implementation of these measures will occur gradually following evaluations by the defense ministry, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and local governments. Furthermore, the ministry intends to dismantle military structures deemed obsolete, like anti-tank walls, from 23 locations in border regions.
To simplify civilian access approval to the CCL, the government aims to introduce mobile applications and authentication services by 2027. Additionally, the approval process for agricultural drones in border farm areas will be streamlined, as per the ministry’s plans.
