No-fly zone and military exercises near South-North Korean border come into effect

The measures are part of a military agreement signed during the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang last September, which included a halt to “all hostile acts” and the gradual dismantling of mines and guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Soldiers stand guard at the truce village of Panmunjom. Photo: Reuters

The US is concerned that the deal could weaken defense readiness and fail to make significant progress on North Korea's denuclearization.

Speaking at the National Assembly on November 1, South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized: "South Korea and North Korea have completely eliminated the risk of military clashes through the military agreement. The two Koreas and the US will achieve the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establish lasting peace based on solid trust."

According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, North Korea has also taken steps to implement the agreement, such as withdrawing coastal artillery that it deployed on islands in the Yellow Sea.

“We will thoroughly verify North Korea’s implementation of the agreement, including moves related to military exercises around the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and whether it complies with the no-fly zone,” the ministry said in a statement.

The no-fly zone for fixed-wing aircraft will stretch 40 km north and south from the eastern MDL and 20 km west. The no-fly zone is of concern to the US because it will effectively prevent ground support attack exercises.

The agreement also prohibits live-fire exercises involving fixed-wing aircraft and air-to-ground guided weapons operating in the no-fly zone./.