North and South Korea have reached an agreement that will ease the current tensions that had left both countries preparing for war.
South Korean presidential security adviser Kim Kwan-jin made the announcement in a televised briefing early Tuesday morning local time after talks that began late last week and stretched through the weekend.
Per the terms of the agreement, North Korea reportedly said it was sorry for the land mine explosion that injured two South Korean soldiers at the Demilitarized Zone two weeks ago and South Korea agreed to cease their current loudspeaker propaganda barrage along the DMZ by noon local time on Tuesday.
#Pyongyang expresses #regret over landmine attacks - S #Korea's NatSec Advisor Kim— Jee Abbey Lee (@jeeabbeylee) August 24, 2015
In addition, both sides promised to hold another round of talks as soon as possible and to hold additional discussions focused on the reunion of families that were separated by the Korean War.
BREAKING #Pyongyang +#Seoul agree to hold working level talks "at earliest possible date" - S #Korea's NatSec Advisor Kim— Jee Abbey Lee (@jeeabbeylee) August 24, 2015
The two countries had been engaged in an ever-escalating standoff that began with accusations from Seoul that Pyongyang had planted the land mines that maimed two South Korean soldiers.
That incident lead to increased propaganda activity along the DMZ and even a brief exchange of artillery fire last week.
Both sides threatened military action as South Korea continued to use loudspeakers along the DMZ, marking the first time it broadcast propaganda messaging since 2004, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un reportedly ordering his troops into a "semi-state of war."
The messages use references to South Korean culture and, sometimes, popular K-pop songs, to promote what the South Koreans believe is a better way of life.
North Korea is to lift its semi-state of war and expresses regret for causing injuries of South Korean soldiers from a landmine.— Joohee Cho (@jooheecho) August 24, 2015
Additional reporting by the Associated Press