South and North Korea resume ship-to-ship radio communications after 10 years

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on July 1 that marine radio communications with North Korea were being resumed to help prevent accidental clashes in the West (Yellow) Sea. The MND released a video on the same day showing sailors aboard a South Korean patrol ship near Yeonpyeong Island using the international merchant marine communication network. (provided by MND)

Could prevent accidental clashes near NLL in West Sea

After 10 years of disuse, South and North Korea have resumed ship-to-ship radio communication, which can be seen as a hotline for preventing accidental clashes between South and North Korean military vessels around the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West (Yellow) Sea.

“The South and North Korean militaries have normalized operation of the global merchant marine communication network in order to prevent unplanned clashes in the West Sea as part of implementing the terms agreed to during the Panmunjeom Declaration and during the 8th inter-Korean general-level military talks,” South Korea’s Ministry of Defense said on July 1.

In a video released by the Defense Ministry, a South Korean patrol ship near Yeonpyeong Island used the international merchant marine communication network (the shared maritime mobile band) at 9 am on July 1 to say, “Mt. Baekdu 1, Mt. Baekdu 1, this is Mt. Halla. How do you read me, over.” A North Korean patrol ship immediately responded by saying, “Mt. Halla 1, Mt. Halla 1, this is Mt. Baekdu 1. I read you loud and clear, over.”

South and North Korean ships first used the maritime mobile band in the West Sea on June 14, 2004, and then discontinued its use in May 2008. The communication network has finally been reactivated after 10 years.

“Along with reconnecting the military communication telephone lines, restoring the international merchant marine communication network in the West Sea can be regarded as a significant step toward faithfully implementing the military agreements reached during the Panmunjeom Declaration,” the Defense Ministry said.

South and North Korean military offices shake hands before discussing the resumption of marine radio communications during talks at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Office (CIQ) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on June 25.

South Korean military postpones construction near DMZ

In a related development, the South Korean military has postponed the construction of new military facilities between 5 and 10km of the demilitarized zone (DMZ). There is speculation that the postponement was made with a view toward a phased disarmament, which would include turning the DMZ into a genuine place of peace, according to the Panmunjeom Declaration, which was reached on Apr. 27.

“Given the possibility of changes in the situation [of inter-Korean relations in the future], units that are supposed to build new facilities [around the DMZ] have postponed their plans so that they can consider what to do,” a senior official in the military said.

“No final decision has been made, however, and we’re still in the review phase. If the construction moves forward without this review, the situation could change, which could create sunk costs and waste our budget,” the official added.

The area in which the military authorities have temporarily suspended new facility construction affects between 90 and 100 units in the forward edge of battle area, in the zone between 5 and 10km from the DMZ that civilians are not allowed to enter.

By Yoo Kang-moon, senior staff writer, and Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter

Please direct comments or questions to [[e-mail]]