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Gov¡¯t to propose installation of hotline at DMZ

Posted September. 06, 2000 22:12,   

한국어

The government plans to propose to the North the installation of a hotline between the South and the North at the construction site for the restoration of the Gyeongui Railroad Line in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as there is a possibility for matters requiring emergency liaison to take place during the work.

A government official said on Wednesday there is a need to install inter-Korean hotline at the construction site which is located in the region of the Military Demarcation Line in preparation for emergency situation such as how to distinguish each other among workers and possible explosion of dud shells. The government will make the overture during the working-level contact to discuss the connection of the Gyeongui Line, he said.

The official said if the two sides agree on the establishment of the hotline, a total of four lines can be installed -- two lines between the offices of the two sides and another two between the military operational units.

In particular, the two Koreas will discuss in the working-level contact how to distinguish military forces who will work in the DMZ, location of buried mines, location of military facilities to be moved, and will exchange military information, including the establishment of checkpoints in both districts of the MDL, the official said.

The government plans to include a military general in the delegation to the working-level contact for the discussion of such issues. The government has proposed the working-level contact for the restoration of Gyeongui Line and the construction of a new road between Gaeseong and Munsan be held on Thursday.