North Korea cancels military agreement with South Korea.
(Baonghean.vn) - On November 23, North Korea announced that it would restore all military measures that had been suspended under the 2018 agreement with South Korea to reduce tensions along their shared border. At the same time, Pyongyang stated that it would continue to deploy stronger armed forces and new weapons.
The announcement from North Korea's Ministry of Defense came one day after South Korea partially suspended an inter-Korean agreement in response to Pyongyang's launch of a spy satellite and said it would immediately step up surveillance along the border with North Korea.
The statement read: "From now on, our military will never again be bound by the South Korea-North Korea military agreement of September 19."
"We will withdraw military steps taken to prevent military tensions and conflict in all domains, including on land, at sea, and in the air, and will deploy stronger armed forces and new types of military equipment in the region along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL)."
North Korea accused South Korea of abrogating a document known as the Comprehensive Military Agreement, and stated that Seoul would be "fully responsible in the event of an irreconcilable clash" between the two Koreas.
North Korea's statement came hours after it launched a ballistic missile toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula late on November 22. The South Korean military said the launch appeared to have failed.
A US State Department spokesperson said that South Korea's decision to partially suspend the agreement was a "prudent and restrained response," citing North Korea's "non-compliance with the agreement."
The official said, "South Korea's suspension will restore surveillance and reconnaissance activities along the Military Demarcation Line on the South Korean side, improving South Korea's ability to monitor threats from North Korea."
The North Korea-South Korea treaty, which has just been suspended, was signed at the 2018 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
Critics argue that the treaty weakened Seoul's ability to monitor North Korea while Pyongyang violated the agreement.
North Korea announced on November 21 that it had launched its first spy satellite into orbit, drawing international condemnation for violating United Nations resolutions prohibiting the use of technology intended for ballistic missile programs.
South Korea said that the North Korean satellite is believed to have entered orbit, but it will take time to assess whether it is functioning properly.
The launch on November 21st was North Korea's third launch this year, following two previous failed attempts, and came after Kim's visit to Russia, during which President Vladimir Putin promised to help North Korea build a satellite.
South Korean officials said the North Korean missile launch was most likely linked to technical assistance from Russia as part of a growing partnership in which Pyongyang supplies Russia with millions of artillery shells.
Russia and North Korea deny any arms deals but promise deeper cooperation.
