Australia deploying armistice observers to Korean border

Following a request from the United Nations Command, the Australian Defence Force has deployed a small number of military personnel to the Korean Peninsula to support the implementation of the inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement.

The Comprehensive Military Agreement, signed by the Republic of Korea and North Korea in September 2018, includes a series of confidence-building measures that aim to reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

United Nations Command, which is responsible for maintaining the Armistice Agreement signed in 1953 at the end of the Korean War, is working with the Republic of Korea and North Korea to implement the measures.

Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld said Australia would support implementation of the Comprehensive Military Agreement measures within the Demilitarised Zone.

“Australia supports efforts to improve inter-Korean relations and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“As part of these efforts, the ADF will initially contribute three personnel to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Military Agreement confidence building activities within the Demilitarised Zone.”

The ADF contribution to the United Nations Command, including the recent appointment of Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer as its next Deputy Commander, demonstrates Australia’s commitment to supporting regional peace and stability, and is consistent with our close engagement with the Republic of Korea.

NOTE: United Nations Command is responsible for maintaining the Armistice Agreement which was signed in 1953. The Armistice Agreement established the Military Demarcation Line and Demilitarised Zone between the two Koreas. Under the terms of the UN Security Council resolutions that established the United Nations Command (UNC) in 1950, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and not the United Nations, maintain executive authority over the UNC.

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