Government taps seasoned North Korea hands for new task force

South Korea is pressing ahead with efforts to engage North Korea in military talks, despite Pyongyang’s continued silence on an earlier proposal from Seoul to hold discussions clarifying the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). According to the Ministry of National Defense on Friday, defense officials held a workshop with the Ministry of Unification at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue to strengthen preparedness for potential military talks with the North. "The ministry plans to form a preparatory task force centered on officials with prior experience to enhance the professionalism and continuity of inter-Korean military talks," the defense ministry said in a statement. The ministry also expressed hope that a communication channel aimed at easing military tensions between the two Koreas can be established soon. As part of efforts to reinforce institutional legitimacy, the ministry said it plans to revive its North Korea Policy Division, which is currently named the North Korea Strategy Division. Under the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration, the unit focused primarily on sanctions agai