North, South Korea cross-check guard post closure

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- North and South Korean military officials traversed the border Wednesday to cross-check the closure of major guard posts on each side.

North and South Korea agreed in October to close 11 front-line guard posts at the border, and remove armed forces and equipment at the posts by December, under a military agreement signed to ease military tensions.

Military officials from both nations visited closed guard posts on each side to confirm whether the closure met agreed requirements such as withdrawal of guns, loopholes, and whether underground paths and facilities are dismantled, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry.

The Wednesday survey marks the first visit by military officials to the other side of their borders since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

The ministry said that the North and South Korean officials have built a path along the Military Demarcation Line, a land border that divides North and South Korea, which could lead to closed guard posts.

According to the ministry, the path represents "a strong will" to reduce military tension and build trust between the two Koreas.