The unification ministry on Monday awarded a commendation to an officer from the United Nations Command's Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) in recognition of his contributions to peace in the border area with North Korea. The award was given to Maj. Lee Sung-bin during the Second Joint Conference on Peace and Safety in Border Areas, which was held at the government complex in Seoul. The UNCMAC supervises the Military Armistice Agreement between the two Koreas along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) signed on July 27, 1953. The move was seen as an olive branch following friction between the ministry and the UNC over entry control of the DMZ, with the former seeking independent authority for peaceful civilian visits and the UNC asserting exclusive military control under the armistice. Lee, who was absent for unspecified personal matter, is said to serve as a contact point between the ministry and the UNC on DMZ-related matters. The ministry also awarded commendations to officials from the border counties of Goseong and Cheorwon, as well as military officials, for similar contributions. The