Seoul, Jan 22 (NationPress) The unification ministry of South Korea announced on Thursday its intention to engage in discussions with the UN Command (UNC) regarding the reopening of three previously closed trail sections within the inter-Korean buffer zone of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).

Back in 2019, South Korea initiated the DMZ Peace Trail, comprising 11 routes that traverse vital border cities and towns near the buffer zone, such as Gimpo, Paju, and Yeoncheon, thereby offering the public a rare opportunity to explore generally inaccessible forested and security areas.

However, three segments of these trails located in Paju, Cheorwon, and Goseong inside the DMZ were shut to the public as of April 2024 due to national security concerns amid heightened tensions with North Korea, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

According to a ministry official, “The government is working towards restoring the three sectors of the DMZ Peace Trail, which are located within the DMZ.”

This statement followed a visit by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to one of the closed trail sections in Goseong, where he reaffirmed his commitment to making the trail accessible to the public once again.

During his visit, Chung stated, “I will strive to ensure the Peace Trail regains its full route by reopening the (closed) sections within the DMZ, aligning with the Lee Jae Myung government's initiatives to proactively restore trust with North Korea.”

Plans to reopen the three restricted DMZ trail sections this year are included in the ministry's policy proposals shared with Lee last month.

Nonetheless, resistance from the U.S.-led UNC, which oversees the DMZ as the South's armistice enforcer from the 1950-53 Korean War, is anticipated.

The official mentioned that the unification ministry aims to advance its plans through consultations with the UNC, asserting that the military-focused armistice does not impose limitations on the peaceful utilization of the DMZ.

In response to Chung's guided tour of the peace trail route on Wednesday, the UNC emphasized that walking paths situated within the DMZ are under its authority.

They stated, “Three walking paths within the DMZ continue to be restricted due to ongoing security concerns and fall under UNC jurisdiction, with existing DMZ access policies and procedures remaining unchanged.”

“For over 70 years, the UNC has governed the DMZ under the Armistice Agreement to prevent escalation and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula. All access to the DMZ is meticulously evaluated on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing safety, security, and compliance with the Armistice,” they added.