North Korea and South Korea Avert Conflict, Reach Agreement After Marathon Talks
After days of marathon talks aimed at de-escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea has made a deal with the North.
The South has agreed to stop broadcasting propaganda across the border, which they started to do earlier this month after a North Korean landmine injured two of their soldiers along the border.
As reported by the BBC, South Korea’s lead negotiator relayed that the decision to put a halt to the broadcasting came after the North agreed to express "regret" over the explosion. A joint statement revealed that South Korea would stop the loudspeaker broadcasts on Tuesday and that the North would end its "semi-state of war."
Aside from this easing of recent animosity, both nations have also agreed to work together to reunite families separated by the Korean War, which took place over 60 years ago.
As reported by CNN, South Korean President Park Geun-hye had said she wants Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to apologize for recent provocations they have made.
"This is a matter of national security and safety of our people," said the 63-year-old leader, adding, "This is not a matter where we can back down, even if North Korea maximizes its provocations and threatens security like it did in the past."
The landmines exploded in the Demilitarized Zone, which separates the two countries. In response to the incident South Korea resumed broadcasting propaganda over the border for the first time in over a decade.
As reported by Yonhap News, six terms of agreement have been drafted to keep the peace bewteen the two nations.
Paramount to the future of relations between the neighboring powers is the first point, which states that the North and the South both agree to hold talks between their authorities in Pyongyang and Seoul soon, in order to improve their ties and foster dialogue for further negotiations.
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