Seoul proposes military talks with Pyongyang as border tensions rise

What happened: South Korea proposed military talks with North Korea to prevent accidental border clashes, offering to confirm the location of the Military Demarcation Line and discuss restoring military communication lines. Key numbers: The proposal follows a Sept. 21 mine explosion in the DMZ. Why it matters: Deputy minister Kim Hong-cheol warned the two sides differ on where the MDL lies in some sections, raising the risk of accidental clashes. North Korea has denied responsibility for the mines and has not responded positively to the earlier offer.

South Korea proposed military talks with North Korea to prevent accidental border clashes, offering to confirm the location of the Military Demarcation Line and discuss restoring military communication lines.

Deputy minister Kim Hong-cheol warned the two sides differ on where the MDL lies in some sections, raising the risk of accidental clashes. North Korea has denied responsibility for the mines and has not responded positively to the earlier offer.