President of South Korea pledges action to reinstate 2018 military accord with North Korea, aiming to lessen the intensity of hostilities
South Korea Plans to Restore 2018 Military Agreement with North Korea
South Korea has announced its intention to restore the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, a pact aimed at reducing border tensions and building trust between the two nations. The agreement, known as the Sept. 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement, was signed during a period of diplomacy under former South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un [1][2][3].
The agreement included key measures such as creating buffer zones on land and sea along the border, establishing no-fly zones above the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to prevent aerial clashes, and suspending hostile acts and military exercises near the border. Other measures included locking coastal and naval guns, removing some guard posts within 1 km of each other in the DMZ, and halting propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts and stopping leaflet balloon launches [1][3].
The agreement effectively de-escalated military tensions and reduced the risk of inadvertent military clashes between the two Koreas. However, it eventually broke down following rising cross-border tensions. In 2023, North Korea abandoned the agreement, declaring it "obsolete," while South Korea's conservative government suspended the deal in 2024 after North Korean provocations including launching trash-laden balloons across the border. This led to the resumption of frontline military activities and loudspeaker propaganda by South Korea [1][2].
South Korea's liberal President Lee Jae Myung, in a speech on August 15, 2025, vowed to restore the agreement gradually and proactively to lower tensions and rebuild military trust. He emphasized respect for North Korea's current regime and stated that South Korea would not pursue unification by absorption or engage in hostile acts. He also highlighted steps already taken, such as stopping activist balloon launches and loudspeaker broadcasts [1][2][3].
The restoration of this agreement could lead to a reduction of military tensions and lower the likelihood of accidental clashes on the border. It could also build a foundation for renewed inter-Korean dialogue and trust, de-escalate military drills and activities near the DMZ, and potentially facilitate diplomatic progress contingent on North Korea’s response, which remains uncertain as Pyongyang has so far dismissed overtures [1][2][3].
Lee Jae Myung urged North Korea to respond to Seoul's efforts to rebuild trust and revive dialogue. He also affirmed South Korea's commitment to an international push to denuclearize North Korea [1][2][3]. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has made clear that North Korea has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons, which it sees as its strongest guarantee of survival [1].
Lee Jae Myung took office after winning an early election in June and is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The purpose of the summit is to discuss trade and defense issues [1]. Shigeru Ishiba has acknowledged Japan's wartime aggression and expressed remorse over the war [1].
In summary, the restoration of the 2018 military agreement marks South Korea’s strategic effort to ease long-standing tensions with North Korea along their heavily militarized border, seeking to revive a framework of military trust and reduce the risk of conflict despite North Korea's current reluctance to fully engage [1][2][3].
The restoration of the 2018 military agreement may lead to a shift in capital investment, as reduced tensions could attract more foreign investors.
This diplomatic move, if successful, could also serve as a starting point for broader discussions about politics and general news, potentially influencing war-and-conflicts narratives in the region.
