South Korea on Monday proposed holding military talks with North Korea to discuss how to clarify the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in a bid to prevent possible clashes near the inter-Korean border.

Axar.az informs according to Yonhap,the proposal came as North Korean soldiers -- including those who were armed -- have temporarily albeit repeatedly crossed the MDL on several occasions while working near the border, such as clearing land or laying mines in the buffer zone.

"Our military officially suggests holding inter-Korean talks between military authorities to discuss how to establish the Military Demarcation Line, to prevent accidental clashes and ease military tensions," Kim Hong-cheol, deputy minister for national defense policy, said in a statement.

"We anticipate the North's positive and swift response to our proposal, aimed at reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and restoring military trust," Kim said, adding that Seoul is open to discussing details of the talks, including its venue and schedule. In the statement, Kim, the ministry official, said the MDL violations appear to have occurred as indicators marking the land border that were installed in 1953 during the signing of the armistice have been damaged.

It remains to be seen whether the North, which has remained unresponsive to President Lee Jae Myung's call for dialogue, will respond to the proposal.

The two Koreas last held general-level military talks in 2018. They have held two ministerial-level talks and 40 working-level talks since 2000, according to the ministry.