Page 377 - 2020 Defence White Paper

【Annex 4】
Preventing Accidental Military Clashes, Establishing a Maritime Peace Zone
and Ensuring Safe Fishing Activities in the West Sea

1. Establishment of a maritime peace zone
1) Scope of the maritime peace zone The scope of the maritime peace zone will be determined
in consideration of the factors including geographic location of the islands under the jurisdiction
of each side, density of passage of vessels and fixed sea routes. Specific boundary lines will
be established through consultations at the Inter-Korean Joint Military Committee.
2) Rules pertaining to entry into the maritime peace zone
① Only unarmed vessels of the two sides will be allowed entry into the maritime peace zone.
If the entry of naval ships is unavoidable, they can enter the zone subject to prior notification
to and approval of the other side.
② The number of vessels operating in the maritime peace zone will be decided by the two
sides through consultations. The plans for entry and operation of vessels within the
maritime peace zone will be notified to the other side 48 hours prior to entry.
③ Entry hours are as follows: from April to September, 0700 to 1800 hours; from October to
March, 0800 to 1700 hours. When necessary, the entry hours may be revised through
mutual consultations.
3) Rules pertaining to activities within the maritime peace zone
① Vessels from the South will not cross the Northern boundary line of the maritime peace zone,
and vessels from the North will not cross the Southern boundary line of the maritime peace
zone. All activities are limited to those of peaceful in nature. Vessels that commit hostile acts
against the other side on the other side’s waters, outside the peace zone, will be restrained
immediately. After the matter is reported to the other side, the vessel will be dealt with through
inter-Korean consultations.
② For the purpose of identification within the maritime peace zone, vessels from both sides
must hoist a 900 mm wide, 600 mm long Korean Peninsula flag. Vessels from the South
must hoist the flag on the left of the mast, and vessels from the North, on the right of the
mast.
③ Any words and actions that may provoke the other side, including psychological warfare, are
not allowed within the maritime peace zone.
④ If an accidental clash occurs between civilian vessels in the maritime peace zone, each side
must immediately withdraw all of its vessels from the zone, resolve the matter through
either inter-Korean military communication lines or inter-Korean working-level military
talks, and establish meticulous plans to prevent any recurrence.

Appendix 375