N Korea to Move Artillery Out of Range of Seoul as Part of Peace Talks
Local Editor
The Koreas are discussing the possible relocation of North Korea's long-range artillery systems away from the tense Korean border, the South's prime minister said, as both countries forge ahead with steps to lower tensions and extend a recent detente.
Earlier, North Korea deployed an estimated 1,000 artillery pieces along the border, posing a significant threat to Seoul and the metropolitan area.
In a speech marking the 68th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, South's Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said that "moving [North Korea's] long-range artillery to the rear is under discussion," as he explained what types of good-will steps between the sides have been taken in recent months.
Lee's comments appeared to be Seoul's first official confirmation of media reports that South Korea demanded that the North reposition its forward-deployed artillery pieces during inter-Korean military talks this month.
Meanwhile, Seoul's Defense Ministry, which has denied those reports, said it had no immediate comment on Lee's speech.
A 2016 South Korean defense white paper described the North's long-range artillery as one of the country's biggest threats, along with its nuclear and missile programs. Seoul, a capital city with 10 million people, is about 40-50km from the border.
South Korean media speculated that during the 14 June military talks, the North likely demanded that South Korea and the US withdraw their own artillery systems from the border as a reciprocal measure. About 28,500 US soldiers are deployed in South Korea.
Also on Monday, military officers from the two Koreas met to discuss how to fully restore their military hotline communication channels, according to the South's Defense Ministry. The results of the talks were expected later on Monday.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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