The United States and China have both expressed hope that the renewal of contacts between the two Koreas after over a year of silence and tensions may lead to more positive developments between the rival neighbours. 

The South Korean Defence Ministry reported, on the 68th anniversary of the armistice that ended the combat phase of the Korean War, that South Korean and North Korean military officials resumed regular cross-border communications after having been cut off last June. The line was restored in the Yellow Sea, known to the Koreas as the West Sea, while a second in the Sea of Japan, known to the Koreas as the East Sea, was said to have experienced technical difficulties. 

"According to the agreement made between the top leaders, the north and the south took a measure to re-operate all inter-Korean communication liaison lines from 10:00 on July 27," North Korea's official KCNA news agency said. "The top leaders agreed to make a big stride in recovering mutual trust and promoting reconciliation," it added. 

Representatives from both sides spoke on the phone for three minutes, according to South Korea's Ministry of Unification. The ministry added that another call would be conducted on Tuesday afternoon, and henceforth every day.

"We're glad to talk again after over a year. We hope this... [brings] good news to all Korean people," said the South's representative. Ties between both countries improved in 2018, when South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met three times. But this quickly broke down following the collapse of a second summit between Mr Kim and then US President Donald Trump.  Tensions later worsened, prompted by defector groups in the South sending propaganda across the border. 

This eventually led North Korea to cut off all military and political communication links, including a hotline between their leaders.  South Korea's president had called for the hotline to be restored and talks aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-1953 Korean war ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. 

Pyongyang doesn’t usually declare its motives publicly, but the timing of the overture suggests desperation may have played a part. Cut off from the world under international sanctions, the Kim regime has few friends. In June, Kim admitted to a “tense” food crisis developing in the country, and experts speculate the diplomatic opening could provide an avenue for humanitarian aid to pass over the border. 

Sources / More: Newsweek, BBC, Foreignpolicy.com 

Pray:

Romans 14:19: “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” 

Pray with us for peaceful leadership and co-operation across the region. 

Pray with us for a renewed will for reconciliation and peaceful reunification. 

Pray with us to strengthen Christians across the region as they deal with complex and often difficult situations.