One Year of Inter-Korean Communication Cutoff... Ministry of Unification "Sending Signal Tone Daily at 9 AM"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] After one year of severed communication with North Korea, the Ministry of Unification has been sending signal tones to the North every day at 9 a.m., but there has been no response from the North.

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters on the 9th, "Even after the demolition of the liaison office, we have been sending signal tones to the North every day at 9 a.m.," revealing this fact.

Since North Korea blew up the inter-Korean liaison office last June, citing issues such as anti-North leaflets, communication between the South and North has been practically cut off. However, the South is still attempting contact.

The Ministry of Unification official explained, "From our standpoint, regardless of the North's position, the dialogue channel must remain open, so as part of performing basic duties, we send signal tones daily," adding, "The operating hours of the liaison office are agreed to be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (between South and North)."

However, it was stated that there has been no response from the North yet.

Before North Korea demolished the liaison office and unilaterally closed the dialogue channel, either side of the inter-Korean communication would call the other at 9 a.m. saying "Let's start today's work," and at 4 p.m., signal "If nothing special happens, let's finish," thus ending the workday.

The official also explained that although not strictly observed on site, there was an agreement that on even-numbered days the South would send the first signal tone, and on odd-numbered days the North would send it first.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters plans to open the Panmunjom and Samcheong-dong Inter-Korean Summit Headquarters to the public in August and hold a "Inter-Korean Dialogue Briefing" featuring special lectures on inter-Korean talks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.