South Korea to shift civilian control line, opening 700 km²

South Korea announced plans on Wednesday to significantly reduce the size of a long-standing military buffer zone along its border with North Korea, a move aimed at easing burdens on residents and promoting regional development. The phased adjustment of the Civilian Control Line (CCL) will begin in 2027.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyuback said the CCL, which currently restricts civilian access to areas as far as 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of the Military Demarcation Line, will be moved northward to an average distance of about 6 kilometers from the border. This will open approximately 270 square kilometers of land for greater civilian use and development. Officials said an additional 450 square kilometers of land currently under less restrictive "restricted protection" status will see those designations lifted entirely, potentially freeing a total area of about 700 square kilometers.

The CCL was established by U.S. forces in 1954 following the Korean War armistice to protect military installations and ensure operational security. For decades, it has tightly controlled civilian activity, requiring military permission for residence, farming, and construction, which residents and...