S. Korea provides North with materials for military communication line

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has provided North Korea with materials needed to stably manage a military communication line on the west coast, Seoul's defense ministry said Friday.

On Thursday, the ministry delivered optical and copper cable transmission equipment and communication conduits. They are among the items for which Seoul has secured exceptions from U.N. Security Council sanctions.

"This measure will help the defense authorities of the Koreas devise military measures to activate bilateral exchanges and contact by stably managing the western military communication line," the ministry said in a press release.

The two sides discussed the need for such materials at their general-grade talks on June 14 and working-level talks on June 25.

As part of efforts to build confidence and reduce tensions, Seoul and Pyongyang restored a military communication line for fax and telephone connections on the west coast in July and another on the eastern part the following month.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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