SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Korean military will ease or lift restrictions on 9 million square meters of military reservation area, the Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday said in a statement.

    A total of 8.96 million square meters of military reservation zones in Gangwon province, Gyeonggi province and South Gyeongsang province, formerly restricted for civilians, will be open to public, according to the ministry.

    The move to open up off-limit areas is part of the ministry's ongoing drive to give military land back to civilians for public convenience, given that it does not hamper military operations.

    "The ministry will continue to ease restrictions on military reservation zones, in order to protect the public's property rights and promote balanced regional development," the ministry said.