From the border area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the South Korean flag in Daeseong-dong and the North Korean flag in Kijŏng-dong face each other across the western sector of the Demilitarized Zone. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — The United Nations Command (UNC) on Wednesday sharply reiterated that it holds exclusive authority over civilian and military access to the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), citing the terms of the 1953 armistice.
The unusually direct statement came as South Korea’s National Assembly advances legislation that would allow the government to approve non-military entry into the area.
The dispute has escalated in recent weeks, pitting Seoul’s Ministry of Unification against the UNC over how the DMZ—long one of the world’s most heavily restricted zones—should be governed in peacetime.
In a statement posted to its official website, the UNC said that “civil administration and relief activities in the DMZ south of the Military Demarcation Line fall under the responsibility of the Commander of the United Nations Command.” Citing Article I, Paragraph 9 of the armistice, it emphasized that no military personnel or civilians may enter the DMZ without explicit authorization from the Military Armistice Commission.
Korean Demilitarized Zone. (image: Ministry of National Defense)
The UNC added that it reviews all access requests to ensure movements are not perceived as provocative and do not endanger safety. It stressed that it remains committed to maintaining stability on the peninsula while hoping for a future peace treaty.
The public intervention underscores the gravity with which the UNC views the proposed “DMZ Peaceful Use Act,” sponsored by lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Party. The bill aims to grant the South Korean government limited authority to approve entry into the DMZ for non-military, peaceful purposes—something the UNC firmly opposes.
Supporters of the bill argue that the armistice’s own preamble defines the agreement as “purely military in character,” making it inappropriate for the UNC to extend its authority to civilian activities and research projects.
The Ministry of Unification, siding with the bill’s proponents, said Tuesday that the armistice does not prohibit peaceful use of the DMZ. While expressing respect for the UNC’s role in maintaining stability, the ministry said it will continue consultations with relevant agencies and support the legislative effort.
The debate intensified after Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young criticized the recent denial of DMZ entry to National Security Office First Deputy Director Kim Hyun-jong, framing the issue as one of South Korea’s territorial sovereignty.
With the UNC restating its authority and the government reaffirming its support for the proposed law, the clash over access to the DMZ—and the broader question of who controls the peninsula’s most sensitive terrain—appears poised to deepen.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
