SEOUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's defense ministry on Friday officially proposed military talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to mutually confirm the clear location of the ground military demarcation line (MDL), restore military communication lines and discuss measures to prevent accidental clashes in the border areas.
In a statement, the Ministry of National Defense stated that a trilateral meeting including the United Nations Command would be possible if necessary, saying specific schedules and venues can be discussed through the border village of Panmunjom.
On Oct. 5, South Korea claimed that an explosion in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on Sept. 21 had been caused by landmines "planted by the DPRK," injuring three South Korean service members.
Considering the military confrontation in the MDL between the two Koreas, it will be difficult to predict what other situations may arise if the current state continues to be left unaddressed, the ministry cautioned.
The ministry explained that without specific measures, soldiers of the two Koreas will conduct operations based on the MDL locations they perceive, raising the possibility of more accidental clashes.
On Oct. 6, the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK said that the recent landmine explosion in the demilitarized zone was a "farce" fabricated and unilaterally determined by South Korea.
Seoul's attempt to shift responsibility for the incident onto the DPRK and tarnish its international image constituted a grave provocation that could not be overlooked, the Korean Central News Agency quoted the ministry as saying. ■
