SEOUL – The Republic of Korea's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday it will ease restrictions on civilian access to areas near the border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as part of military facility regulation reforms.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said in a briefing that the Civilian Control Line (CCL), which lies within 10 km south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) running through the Demilitarized Zone separating the two sides, will be adjusted to an average distance of about 6 km from the MDL from 2027 in phases.

The plan shows that after the adjustment, about 270 square km of "controlled protection zones" will be downgraded into less restrictive "restricted protection zones", and restrictions on around 450 square km of restricted protection zones will be lifted. Some military obstacles that have lost operational usefulness will be removed.

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The ministry also plans to simplify approval procedures for agricultural drone operations in border regions and establish a mobile app-based access control system for the CCL starting in 2027.

Ahn said the measures are intended to adapt to a new security environment while ensuring military operational requirements and improving living conditions and regional development in border areas.