Government Announces Review of 2018 Inter‑Korean No‑Fly Agreement On Feb 18 2026 Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young said Seoul will review the September 19 2018 pact and seek to restore the no‑fly zone that bans aircraft and drones within 15 km east and 10 km west of the DMZ, a measure suspended in 2023‑2024 to curb hostilities [1][2]. The zone was designed to prevent accidental clashes along the heavily fortified border. Reinstating it is presented as a confidence‑building step. Seoul hopes the move will reduce the risk of unintended military incidents.

Recent Drone Flights Prompted Accelerated Reinstatement Effort Civilian drones were launched into North Korean airspace in September 2025 and again on Jan 4 2026, prompting Pyongyang to accuse South Korea of violating its sovereignty [1][2]. North Korean leader Kim Yo‑jong demanded preventive measures and later described Chung’s earlier expression of regret as “sensible behavior.” These incursions intensified calls in Seoul to tighten air‑space controls. The government therefore accelerated its plan to reactivate the no‑fly zone.

Legal Framework Remains 2018 Pact Despite Suspension Although the 2018 inter‑Korean military agreement was suspended by both sides in 2023‑2024, it continues to provide the legal basis for a restricted air corridor [2][3]. Seoul intends to reactivate the pact’s provisions to formalize the no‑fly zone. The minister emphasized that the goal is to avoid accidental military conflict and to rebuild trust between the two armed forces. The original agreement aimed to reduce aerial incursions and promote stability.

Penalty Tightening and Legislative Amendments Planned South Korea will increase sanctions for unauthorized drones operating in the zone and amend the Inter‑Korean Relations Act to prohibit actions that could heighten military tension [1]. The stricter penalties are part of a broader security posture adopted by the Lee Jae Myung administration. The proposal was discussed at a recent meeting of security ministers ahead of the ruling‑party congress where major policies will be set. Officials argue that tougher enforcement will deter future violations.

Discrepancy in Ministerial Attribution Across Reports Articles 1 and 2 attribute the reinstatement announcement to Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young, while Article 3 names Unification Minister Lee Jong‑sup as the official who announced the intention [1][3]. This inconsistency may reflect a reporting error or indicate that multiple officials were involved in the decision‑making process. The differing attributions highlight the need for clarification in official communications.