Seoul and Washington are reviewing approaches to controlling the DMZ with the DPRK

South Korea and the U.S. discussed possible changes in the management of parts of the heavily fortified border with North Korea during recent defense talks in Washington, South Korea's Defense Ministry said on Thursday. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.

Details

The issue was considered within the framework of a bilateral integrated defense consultative body, a ministry spokesperson said, adding that there is "progress" in this direction. At the same time, she denied reports that this could lead to joint or divided control over the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

"It is not joint management. And it is not divided management. It is about making the management of the DMZ in some sections more realistic,"

The DMZ is a buffer zone along the line where the 1950–1953 Korean War ended, in which China and North Korea fought against UN forces led by the United States. The war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Under the terms of the armistice, the UN Command oversees the DMZ, and the Defense Ministry spokesperson noted that Seoul respects its authority while consulting with Washington on technical aspects of managing specific sections.

The comments come amid statements by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who said the country would seek to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from the U.S. during his term in office through 2030.

Currently, in the event of war on the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. would command allied forces; however, South Korean governments have consistently sought to regain this control over the years.

South Korea's Unification Ministry also recently changed its wording regarding North Korea. The 2026 white paper states that South and North Korea effectively exist as two states, although Seoul continues to declare the goal of future unification.

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