South Korea Secures EU Commitment for Peninsula Peace and No‑Fly Zone Restoration
Updated (3 articles)
-
Image: YonhapUnification Minister Chung Dong-young (R) shakes hands with Olof Skoog, deputy secretary-general of the European External Action Service, during their meeting at the Ministry of Unification in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo provided by Chung's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young Secures EU Backing On Feb 19 2026, Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young met EU Deputy Secretary‑General Olof Skoog to request active EU support for Seoul’s peace‑building agenda on the Korean Peninsula, and Skoog pledged “active support” and close communication with Korean officials [1]. The meeting formed part of the ninth Korea‑EU High‑Level Dialogue, co‑hosted by Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui‑hye, where security, Ukraine and Middle‑East issues were also discussed [1].
Plan to Reinstate 2018 Inter‑Korean No‑Fly Zone Chung announced South Korea will seek to restore the 2018 inter‑Korean military pact’s no‑fly zone over the Demilitarized Zone to prevent accidental clashes and build military trust [1]. The proposal aims to reduce the risk of unintended incidents and is presented as a cornerstone of the broader peace strategy [1]. EU officials expressed optimism about supporting this security measure, aligning it with the EU’s active backing pledge [1].
Broadening Korea‑EU Cooperation Into Security and Digital Sectors Both parties discussed expanding collaboration beyond peace initiatives into security and digital fields, hoping for concrete outcomes from high‑level exchanges [1]. The dialogue also addressed broader regional concerns, including Ukraine and the Middle East, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the partnership [1]. Skoog highlighted the EU’s intention to sustain bilateral cooperation on major challenges, reinforcing the commitment to ongoing engagement [1].
Related Tickers
Timeline
Dec 18, 2018 – The last inter‑Korean talks take place at a sports‑related meeting, marking the final high‑level dialogue before a seven‑year hiatus in inter‑Korean engagement[3].
2018 – South Korea and North Korea sign an inter‑Korean military pact that creates a no‑fly zone over the Demilitarized Zone, a confidence‑building measure later referenced for reinstatement[1].
Dec 17, 2025 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young pledges “extraordinary efforts to turn 2026 into a starting point for peaceful coexistence” and calls for the history of inter‑Korean exchanges to be “wide open again,” while religious leader Na Sang‑ho signals hopeful engagement and pledges to open dialogue with North Korean religious entities[3].
Jan 22, 2026 – Chairing the South‑North Korea Exchanges and Cooperation Support Association, Chung announces a nine‑program plan—including a joint Korean dictionary and a Manwoldae palace survey—and declares the government “ready to end hostility and reopen all roads and railways toward the North,” framing exchanges as the surest route to peace[2].
Feb 19, 2026 – At the Ninth Korea‑EU High‑Level Dialogue, Chung meets EU Deputy Secretary‑General Olof Skoog, requests EU backing to reinstate the 2018 no‑fly zone and expand security‑digital cooperation, and receives Skoog’s pledge that the EU will give “active support” and keep close communication with Seoul[1].
Feb 19, 2026 (future) – South Korea formally seeks to restore the DMZ no‑fly zone under the 2018 military pact, aiming to prevent accidental clashes and build military trust as a cornerstone of its broader peace‑building agenda[1].