World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
South Korea proposes military talks with North Korea over border
South Korea has again proposed military talks with North Korea to clarify the border between the two countries.
The offer comes after a September land mine blast in the DMZ injured three South Korean troops.
South Korea blames North Korea for the blast, but North Korea denies responsibility.
The two sides also disagree about where the Military Demarcation Line lies, and some boundary markers set up under the 1953 armistice have been lost.
North Korean troops have been reinforcing the border, while South Korea says they have crossed the line and has used warning shots and broadcasts.
South Korea says the dispute raises the risk of accidental clashes because troops act according to different versions of the boundary.
Seoul is also open to talks involving the United Nations Command, but North Korea has not responded to an earlier offer and may not accept this one.
South Korea on Friday renewed its proposal for military talks with North Korea to clarify the land border and reduce the risk of accidental clashes.
The proposed talks would also cover restoring military communication lines, and South Korea said discussions could include the U.N. Command.
The proposal follows a September landmine blast in the Demilitarized Zone that injured South Korean soldiers.
South Korea says North Korean troops have crossed the Military Demarcation Line during border fortification work, while North Korea rejects that account.
Pyongyang has not responded to a similar South Korean proposal made last November.
- Who
- South Korea proposed talks with North Korea; the U.N. Command could also join.
- What
- Military talks to clarify the land border, restore communication lines and prevent accidental clashes.
- When
- Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
- Where
- The land border between the two Koreas, including the Demilitarized Zone.
- Why
- South Korea says differing understandings of the border increase the risk of accidental clashes, amid heightened tensions after a landmine blast.
South Korea
North Korea
Border crossings
South Korea
South Korea says North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line during fortification work.
North Korea
North Korea denies that its soldiers breached the border.
Mine blast
South Korea
South Korea’s military concluded that North Korean mines south of the line caused the September blast.
North Korea
North Korea has denied responsibility and rejected South Korea’s findings.
The military demarcation line was drawn up under the armistice that stopped the Korean War fighting.
South Korea proposed similar military talks, but North Korea did not respond.
Landmine blasts at the border injured three South Korean soldiers, according to AP.
Kim Yo Jong and Pak Jong Chon visited North Korean front-line areas, according to AP.
South Korea renewed its proposal for military talks with North Korea.
- Proposal date
- Oct. 23, 2026
- South Korean official
- Deputy Defense Minister Kim Hong-cheol
- Proposed agenda
- Verify the land-based Military Demarcation Line, restore military communication lines and prevent accidental clashes
- Previous proposal
- November; North Korea did not respond
- Mine blast injuries
- Three South Korean soldiers, according to AP; two were seriously injured, according to the Straits Times
6 sources
(2nd LD) S. Korea proposes military talks with N. Korea to ease tensions along border
South Korea seeks talk with North to ease border tensions
BREAKING NEWS: S. Korea proposes military talks with N. Korea amid deepening tensions
South Korea proposes talks with North Korea on land border again
What people are saying
Different perceptions remain over the Military Demarcation Line (MDL)
Our Ministry of National Defense officially proposes to North Korean authorities that South-North military talks be held to mutually confirm the exact location of the ground military demarcation line between the South and the North, discuss the restoration of military communication lines, and discuss measures to prevent accidental clashes in border areas
We expect a positive response from the North's side.
our army knows where our borderline is better than any others