{"id":14900,"date":"2019-03-27T21:08:37","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T21:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/03\/27\/a-palpable-air-of-calm-along-koreas-dmz-but-growing-concerns-about-rising-regional-rivals\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:48:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:48:13","slug":"a-palpable-air-of-calm-along-koreas-dmz-but-growing-concerns-about-rising-regional-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2019\/03\/27\/a-palpable-air-of-calm-along-koreas-dmz-but-growing-concerns-about-rising-regional-rivals\/","title":{"rendered":"A ‘palpable air of calm\u2019 along Korea\u2019s DMZ but growing concerns about rising regional rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S. military\u2019s top officer in South Korea told lawmakers Wednesday that there\u2019s a \u201cpalpable air of calm on the peninsula\u201d but other officials warned that communist Pyongyang failed to follow through on efforts to make the peace permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Robert Abrams<\/a>, head of U.S. Forces Korea<\/a>, said today\u2019s relative tranquility stands in stark contrast to a few years ago, at the height of North Korea\u2019s nuclear and missile tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe tension has reduced significantly,\u201d he told the House Armed Services Committee. \u201cAlong the demilitarized zone, on the West Sea<\/a>, the East Sea<\/a>, along the Northern Limit Line<\/a>, inside the Joint Security Area<\/a>, that for the first time since 1976\u2026is now 100 percent demilitarized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, U.S. forces continue to closely monitor developments and stand \u201cready to respond\u201d should the situation change, Adm. Phil Davidson<\/a>, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command<\/a>, told lawmakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\t