North and South Korea Reopen Maritime Radio Channel

Photo from Ukrinform

North and South Korea have reopened a maritime communication channel for the first time in ten years, Reuters reported.

This measure will help defuse military tensions and prevent unexpected confrontations, especially in the Yellow Sea. The first test commucation was successfully conducted today. A South Korean Navy vessel contacted a North Korean patrol boat, which responded immediately to the call.

The move showed the two Koreas were “taking practical steps” to uphold agreements made on April 27 when their leaders decided to defuse military tensions in a gradual manner, an official from the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

The first maritime communications between South and North Korea were carried out on June 14, 2004. In May 2008, the communication line was severed.

Also today, Kim Jong-un appealed once again to China’s president, Xi Jinping, to help end sanctions against Pyongyang, following his summit with American President Donald Trump. Kim earlier made the request during his third meeting with Xi in Beijing last month, and the Chinese president promised to do his “utmost” to satisfy it, the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said.

On June 22, it was reported that North and South Korea agreed to arrange reunions of divided families.