Page 9 - 2020 Defence White Paper

provide military assurance for the joint utilization of the Han River estuary.
From November 5 to December 9, 2018, the two Koreas conducted a joint waterway survey on the
estuary and identified essential information for safe navigation of vessels by finding over 20 reefs in a
section stretching over 600km where hydrographic survey was conducted. The ROK conveyed to North
Korea through working-level contacts the nautical chart, survey report, and tidal observations among
others, which were created based on the joint waterway survey results.
The joint waterway survey was the first maritime survey conducted in the neutral waters of the Han
River estuary, where access had been restricted for the two Koreas since the Armistice Agreement,
allowing the provision of navigation information necessary for the free navigation of civilian vessels.
In 2019, the ROK held two pilot navigation events in the estuary to publicize the importance of the Han
River estuary and create an opportunity for continued navigation and peaceful utilization in neutral waters
of the estuary.
Going forward, the ROK Armed Forces will formulate various preparatory procedures to ensure the free
navigation of civilian vessels through working-level consultations, and provide military support during
discussions with North Korea for carrying out a precise waterway survey to devise a comprehensive plan
for the joint utilization of the Han River estuary and a comprehensive survey on marine resources and
ecology and environment.

Inter-Korean joint waterway survey on the Han River estuary Conveyance of a nautical chart of the Han River estuary
(January 2019)

3. Future Plans

While maintaining a firm readiness posture to achieve peace through strength, the ROK Armed Forces
will actively create peace by continuing to implement the CMA and resolutely safeguard that peace. To
this end, the ROK Armed Forces will strive to maintain military stability in the contact areas by faithfully
implementing the agreed measures of the respected CMA.
As for the issues regarding free travel between the two Koreas in the JSA, withdrawal of all GPs inside
the DMZ, joint recovery of remains, and assurance of free navigation of civilian vessels in the Han River
estuary, which are yet to be agreed by North Korea, the ROK Armed Forces remains fully ready to

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