SEOUL — The defense ministry of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said Friday that its military hotlines with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have been in normal operation, according to local media reports.

The inter-Korean military hotlines were restored in the second half of 2018 following

Choi Hyun-soo, spokesperson of the ROK defense ministry, told local reporters that the military authorities of the two sides have had regular telephone calls twice a day at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm local time through the eastern and western military communication lines.

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When necessary, the two sides have communicated with each other via the hotlines at various times, Choi said.

The inter-Korean military hotlines were restored in the second half of 2018 following the first summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and top DPRK leader Kim Jong-un in April of the year.

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The direct line between the DPRK military and the UN Command in the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom was also restored in 2018.

The spokesperson said that the direct line has been in normal operation by exchanging phone calls twice a day.