Koreas near end of border demining operations

The two Koreas were wrapping up their demining operations in part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to carry out their plan to disarm the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the buffer zone separating them, a government official said here on Friday.

The South Korean military has almost completed its demining work, while the North Korean military is expected to finish its work on Saturday in line with the two sides' recent agreement aimed at reducing border tensions and preventing accidental clashes, reports Yonhap News Agency.

According to the agreement signed after the third summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month in Pyongyang, the two militaries began 20-day demining operations on October 1.

During the demining process, the North discovered and disposed of some five land mines, while the South found no land mines in the area of its responsibility.

The UN Command (UNC), led by the United States, had also confirmed on Friday that the demining process was conducted in compliance with the military agreement.

"UNC will continue to work closely with South Korea and North Korea to synchronise implementation efforts," said General Vincent Brooks, head of US troops in South Korea, in the statement.

--IANS

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