This agreement is just a basic one, but as the first trust-building measure between the military authorities of both sides, it seems like it will greatly contribute to reducing tensions and building trust on the Korean Peninsula. Attention is focusing on whether this will lead to regular high-ranking military talks, like the second round of intra-Korean defense minister talks.

Chief South Korean delegate Adm. Park Jung-hwa and the North's chief negotiator, Gen. An Ik-san, shake hands after signing a joint statement at Kensington Hotel in Mt. Seorak, early Friday morning.

The two sides agreed to ▲ maintain tight control over their warships in the West Sea; ▲ forbid harmful physical acts directed against each others warships and civilian craft; ▲ exchange information and make diplomatic efforts to solve the problem of illegal fishing by third countries; ▲ gather opinions on the use of communication lines in the West Sea and implement such measures from June 15, the fourth anniversary of the 6.15 North-South Joint Declaration.

Concerning a North Korean request -- raised during the first round of military talks on May 26 -- that propaganda broadcasts be suspended along the DMZ and propaganda devices be removed, the two sides agreed to suspend propaganda broadcasts aimed at one another from June 15, and remove other propaganda devices (like billboards, signs, etc.) in three stages by Liberation Day on August 15. Once these measures have been completed, each would inform the other side or reveal that they have done so in the media. They agreed not to reinstall propaganda devices or restart propaganda activities once verification has been made.

Chief South Korean delegate Adm. Park Jung-hwa and the North's chief negotiator, Gen. An Ik-san sign a joint statement at Kensington Hotel in Mt. Seorak, on Friday morning. The two sides agreed to prevent armed clashes and stop propaganda broadcasts along the Northern Limit Line, a joint statement said.

Colonel Moon Sung-mook, the South's spokesperson for the talks, said, "The issue of the Northern Limit Line was the biggest point of contention, but we were able to find agreement with the North on preventing accident clashes on the West Sea and reducing tensions, so the talks led to progress... Crabbers can safely go about their way of life during the crabbing season and the bud of trust between soldiers on both sides of the military demarcation line has sprouted... This agreement will contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and is a precedent upon which one can push for full-scale confidence-building measures between the two Koreas... The intra-Korean relationship will be led by improving cooperation in the economic, social, cultural and military fields.

(englishnews@chosun.com )