UNC's armistice enforcement brigade will not be established, defense minister says

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Friday that South Korea and the United Nations Command had agreed not to establish the UNC's planned armistice enforcement brigade.

"We talked it over and reached an agreement not to establish the brigade or hold the ceremony," Ahn told reporters during a doorstep interview at the Ministry of National Defense compound on his first day back at the office. Asked directly whether the decision meant the brigade would not be created at all, he replied, "That's correct."

When asked whether he had conveyed that position to Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea, Ahn said he could not confirm the exact timing of their meetings. "We communicate and meet regularly," he said.