there are several buildings on both sides of the military demarcation line. a few are built right on top of the mdl. the joint security area is the location where all negotiations since 1953 have been held, including statements of korean solidarity, which have generally amounted to little except a slight decline of tensions. the mdl goes through the conference rooms and down the middle of the conference tables where the north koreans and the united nations command (primarily south koreans and americans) meet face to face.