The United Nations Command (UNC) has issued a rare press release stressing its authority over access to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). It comes amid growing debate in South Korea over proposed legislation that would allow the Korean government to approve nonmilitary access to the DMZ. According to the release posted on its website Tuesday, the UNC said that it, through the UNC Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC), has been the successful administrator of the DMZ, a role that has been essential in maintaining stability, especially amid periods of heightened inter-Korean tensions. Citing the 1953 Armistice Agreement, the UNC emphasized that civil administration and relief activities in the DMZ south of the Military Demarcation Line fall under its authority. It further noted that the agreement grants the UNCMAC jurisdiction over all access to the DMZ. “No person, military or civilian, shall be permitted to enter the demilitarized zone except persons concerned with the conduct of civil administration and relief and persons specifically authorized to enter by the Military Armistice Commiss