Seoul, Pyongyang Discuss Creating Buffer Zone Along Disputed Maritime Boundary - Reports

Seoul, Pyongyang Discuss Creating Buffer Zone Along Disputed Maritime Boundary - Reports

The North and South Koreas on Thursday discussed the idea of setting up a demilitarized zone along the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime boundary between the two nations in the Yellow Sea, local media reported, citing sources in Seoul.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th September, 2018) The North and South Koreas on Thursday discussed the idea of setting up a demilitarized zone along the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime boundary between the two nations in the Yellow Sea, local media reported, citing sources in Seoul.

Earlier in the day, the two Koreas held working-level military talks, during which the sides were expected to finalize the military agenda for the upcoming bilateral summit slated for September 18-20.

According to the Yonhap news Agency, the sides discussed the idea of creating a zone around the NLL, which would ban the entry of warships and live-fire exercises in the area. Pyongyang has however long been disputing the NLL and pushing for the line to be redrawn and shifted southward.

A "maritime peace zone" is meant to ensure safe fishing activities and prevent military clashes, which took place in 1999, 2002, 2009 and 2010 and even resulted in fatalities, the media outlet added.

The talks were also reportedly supposed to focus on the withdrawal of the guard posts on a trial basis from the Korean Demilitarized Zone and joint excavation of Korean War remains in the area.