SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Ministry of Unification (MOU) held a joint workshop on Friday to prepare for potential military dialogue with North Korea, despite the lack of a response from Pyongyang regarding recent proposals.
The session, held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue in central Seoul, focused on inter-agency coordination and reviewing readiness measures for future negotiations.
During the workshop, defense officials announced plans to form a preparatory task force comprised of personnel with prior experience in inter-Korean negotiations. The ministry also stated it will rename its "North Korea Strategy Division" to the "North Korea Policy Division," a move intended to bolster the unit's administrative legitimacy and shift its focus toward sustainable engagement.
The preparations come as Seoul awaits a response from the North. On November 17, the Defense Ministry proposed holding military talks to discuss the baseline for the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Pyongyang has not yet replied to the offer.
"We hope a forum for dialogue to ease military tensions between the two Koreas will be arranged soon," the ministry said in a statement. "We will continue strengthening preparations through close coordination with relevant agencies to help establish peace on the Korean Peninsula."
The choice of venue for the workshop carries symbolic significance for the current administration’s policy direction. The Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue, located in Samcheong-dong, was originally established in the 1970s but was abolished during the administration of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The current administration under President Lee Jae-myung reinstated the office on November 4 following a reorganization, reviving the body after a two-year hiatus. The office is responsible for formulating negotiation strategies, maintaining communication channels, and managing logistics for talks between the two Koreas.
The session, held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue in central Seoul, focused on inter-agency coordination and reviewing readiness measures for future negotiations.
During the workshop, defense officials announced plans to form a preparatory task force comprised of personnel with prior experience in inter-Korean negotiations. The ministry also stated it will rename its "North Korea Strategy Division" to the "North Korea Policy Division," a move intended to bolster the unit's administrative legitimacy and shift its focus toward sustainable engagement.
The preparations come as Seoul awaits a response from the North. On November 17, the Defense Ministry proposed holding military talks to discuss the baseline for the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Pyongyang has not yet replied to the offer.
"We hope a forum for dialogue to ease military tensions between the two Koreas will be arranged soon," the ministry said in a statement. "We will continue strengthening preparations through close coordination with relevant agencies to help establish peace on the Korean Peninsula."
The choice of venue for the workshop carries symbolic significance for the current administration’s policy direction. The Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue, located in Samcheong-dong, was originally established in the 1970s but was abolished during the administration of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The current administration under President Lee Jae-myung reinstated the office on November 4 following a reorganization, reviving the body after a two-year hiatus. The office is responsible for formulating negotiation strategies, maintaining communication channels, and managing logistics for talks between the two Koreas.
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