[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Is Forward Live-Fire Exercise Possible?

Ministry of National Defense: "Termination of Inter-Korean Military Agreement Requires Interdepartmental Consultation"
Coordination Needed Considering Provisions on Remains Recovery and Joint Projects

The Ministry of National Defense responded to claims that the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement has been effectively nullified by stating, "A complete termination requires inter-agency consultation." This is likely because the agreement includes provisions related to joint inter-Korean projects such as the excavation of Korean War casualties' remains and the peaceful use of the Han River estuary, which necessitate coordination among relevant ministries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the military on the 9th, the September 19 Military Agreement is an annex to the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration announced on September 19, 2018, and its official name is the "Agreement on the Implementation of the Military Provisions of the Panmunjom Declaration." The agreement includes provisions such as ▲ the establishment of land and maritime buffer zones ▲ withdrawal of frontline guard posts (GPs) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) ▲ establishment of no-fly zones in frontline areas ▲ demilitarization of the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom ▲ joint excavation of Korean War casualties' remains ▲ and peaceful use of the Han River estuary. Since North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch last November, provisions aimed at reducing military tensions?such as the establishment of no-fly zones, pilot withdrawal of GPs within the DMZ, demilitarization of the JSA, and land and maritime buffer zones?have effectively been nullified.

The issue lies in the legal effect. Under the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act, the president can suspend all or part of the September 19 Agreement's effect, but there is no provision for a "complete termination" in either the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act or the September 19 Agreement itself. The military also holds the position that although the September 19 Agreement was not ratified by the National Assembly, it is considered equivalent to a "law" under the Ministry of Unification because it is an annex to a joint declaration between heads of state. Therefore, coordination and consultation with related ministries such as the Ministry of Unification are necessary.

However, there is also an interpretation that if both parties to the agreement, North and South Korea, declare termination, the agreement is automatically terminated. The Ministry of National Defense has long expressed the need for a full suspension or termination of the September 19 Agreement, but it is known that there are differing views within the government on this matter.

The military plans to schedule live-fire training exercises within the land, sea, and air buffer zones by the end of this month. If the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement is terminated, the ceasefire zones (buffer zones) on land and sea will effectively disappear, allowing the use of frontline firing ranges.

Live-fire training on land will use firing ranges within 5 km of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which is the buffer zone for hostile acts. These include the Story Firing Range (Paju, Gyeonggi Province), Cheonmiri Firing Range (Yanggu County, Gangwon Province), Jeokgeori Firing Range (Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province), Chilseong Firing Range (Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province), and Songjiho Firing Range (Goseong County, Gangwon Province).

Various live-fire exercises will also become possible. The Songjiho Firing Range on the East Coast is considered the only training ground capable of live-fire exercises for the 230mm-class next-generation multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) "Cheonmu," which has a maximum range of 80 km. It can also be used for firing the Navy's 76mm naval gun. The Machajin Anti-Aircraft Firing Range in Goseong, Gangwon Province, known as the largest anti-aircraft firing range in the military, can also be used as a ballistic missile launch site in response to North Korean provocations. Naval firing exercises will also be possible. The Marine Corps units on Baengnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo islands, which have conducted firing training on land due to the military agreement, will begin firing toward the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea as early as next month. Navy vessels are expected to resume naval gunfire. Air-to-ground guided weapon firing using Apache helicopters will also be possible within the no-fly zones.

If live-fire training is conducted in the buffer zones, there are predictions that North Korea may use this as a pretext to carry out "land, sea, and air provocations." In response, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "In the event of provocations, we will overwhelmingly and decisively retaliate according to the principle of 'immediate, strong, and thorough' (즉·강·끝: immediately, strongly, and to the end)."

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