[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Military Communication Line Finally Unresponsive

North Korea refuses regular calls until afternoon of the 10th... Possible unilateral cutoff

North Korea has not responded to the regular calls on the East-West Sea military communication line as of the afternoon of the 10th. This is the first time in over two days that communication with North Korea has been cut off since October 4, 2021. Despite heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following the inauguration of the current government, North Korea had been responding to regular calls.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the day, North Korea did not answer the military communication line opening call at 4 p.m. The Ministry of National Defense uses the East-West Sea military communication line, conducting opening calls at 9 a.m. and closing calls at 4 p.m. daily. The Ministry of Unification communicates through the inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office channel, conducting opening calls at 9 a.m. and closing calls at 5 p.m. on weekdays.

The reason why North Korea did not respond to any communication lines has not yet been confirmed. However, government authorities are placing weight on the possibility of intentional refusal to respond, considering that inspections of the South Korean section of the communication line found no abnormalities.

Ku Byung-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing, "We are currently placing weight on the possibility of unilateral blocking by the North," adding, "We will monitor the situation and review response measures accordingly."

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