S. Korea conveys concerns to US over USFK commander's DMZ remarks
Seoul expressed concerns to Washington over remarks made by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson that Seoul sees as ignoring South Korea’s territorial sovereignty, a government source said Monday. The concerns over Brunson's remarks on South Korea's territorial border and other issues were recently conveyed to the U.S. side, which, in return, said they understand and share South…
Seoul has conveyed its concerns to Washington regarding remarks made by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson. According to a government source, these concerns were raised on Monday. The controversy stems from Brunson's comments on South Korea's territorial border and other issues, which Seoul views as disregarding the country's territorial sovereignty.
The US side, in response, acknowledged their understanding and shared South Korea's stance on the matter, as per the source. The dispute centers around Brunson's statement at a seminar in Washington, where he asserted that, from the United Nations Command (UNC) perspective, South Korea begins at the southern fence of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
This comment was made during a discussion on the UNC's responsibilities in the DMZ under the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. The UNC holds authority over access and activities in the DMZ according to the armistice, but this does not equate to sovereignty over the land. This interpretation of Brunson's words led to objections from South Korea, as its territory extends beyond the DMZ.
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