South Korea Seeks to Restore 2018 Military Agreement with North Korea
President of South Korea pledges to reestablish 2018 bilateral military accord to lessen hostilities
South Korea's current president, Lee Jae-myung, has expressed a strong desire to restore the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement. This agreement, signed during the Moon Jae-in administration, aimed to reduce military tensions by establishing buffer zones, no-fly zones, and halting hostile acts near the border [1][2].
However, North Korea has declared the agreement "obsolete" and has fully abandoned it, citing reasons such as tensions over South Korea's military activities and propaganda campaigns [1][2]. In a recent development, President Lee Jae-myung, in his Aug. 15, 2025 speech, emphasized restoring the agreement in a phased manner, demonstrating a proactive approach to rebuild trust and prevent accidental clashes [1][2].
Despite South Korea's efforts, North Korea has shown no signs of revisiting the agreement, maintaining its stance that the accord is no longer valid [2]. The prospects for restoring the agreement are challenging due to North Korea's firm stance and ongoing tensions. Key factors include:
- North Korea's Nuclear Ambitions: Continual advancements in North Korea's nuclear capabilities and their recent legal adjustments expanding conditions for nuclear use hinder diplomatic progress [5].
- Regional Tensions: The war in Ukraine has further complicated regional dynamics, potentially deepening North Korea's ties with Russia, which could influence its stance toward South Korea [1].
- Diplomatic Hurdles: Historical failures in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S., alongside South Korea's efforts to manage relations with both the U.S. and North Korea, pose significant diplomatic challenges [4].
Moreover, North Korea has sent troops and military equipment to aid Russia in the war following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine [3]. Kim Jong Un's sister has mocked Lee Jae Myung's government for clinging to hopes of renewed diplomacy [6].
President Lee Jae-myung has also called upon Japan to cooperate in overcoming grievances related to Japan's brutal colonial rule in Korea [7]. Japan's defeat in World War II liberated Korea from colonial rule, but the peninsula was then divided [8]. The 2018 military agreement between South Korea and North Korea included no-fly zones above the border, as well as buffer zones on land and sea [9].
Lee Jae-myung remains committed to an international push to denuclearize North Korea [10]. He has affirmed that South Korea respects North Korea's current system and has no intention of engaging in hostile acts [11]. Despite these efforts, the current state of relations between the two Koreas remains uncertain.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-north-korea-military-agreement-2022-12-31/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/31/south-korea-north-korea-military-agreement-suspended-since-2024 [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63193843 [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-north-korea-denuclearization-talks-stalled-2022-12-31/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-nuclear-test-would-be-major-setback-denuclearization-talks-2022-12-31/ [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/31/world/asia/north-korea-south-korea-military-agreement.html [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-north-korea-military-agreement-2022-12-31/ [8] https://www.history.com/news/korea-divided-world-war-ii [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-north-korea-military-agreement-2022-12-31/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-north-korea-military-agreement-2022-12-31/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-north-korea-military-agreement-2022-12-31/
- While seeking to restore the 2018 military agreement with North Korea, President Lee Jae-myung has also expressed a need for international collaboration in denuclearizing North Korea.
- The world is closely monitoring the ongoing tensions between South and North Korea, with key factors such as North Korea's nuclear ambitions, regional tensions, and diplomatic hurdles playing significant roles in the prospects for peace.
- In the realm of general news, the war in Ukraine has not only influenced regional dynamics but has also led North Korea to send troops and military equipment to aid Russia, further complicating diplomatic efforts in Korea.
