Line - Northern Limit

While the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) clearly divides the land, the 1953 armistice did not specify a maritime border. Commander-in-Chief Mark W. Clark defined the NLL to link 11 coordinates from the mouth of the Han River to Baengnyeong Island. North Korea (DPRK) has long challenged its legality, arguing that it was established without their consent and violates international laws regarding territorial waters. In 1999, the DPRK declared its own "Inter-Korean Maritime Military Demarcation Line," which sits significantly further south, overlapping with South Korea's claimed waters. A Flashpoint for Conflict

Because of these overlapping claims, the NLL area is one of the most volatile regions on the Korean Peninsula. Significant incidents include: Northern Limit Line

The is the de facto maritime boundary between North and South Korea in the Yellow Sea (West Sea). Established unilaterally by the United Nations Command (UNC) on shortly after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement—it was intended to prevent maritime clashes by restricting South Korean naval patrols and avoiding provocations. Historical Context and Legal Status While the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) clearly divides