South Korea Partially Suspends Inter-Korea Military Deal
South Korea has suspended a clause of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, under which Seoul and Pyongyang had agreed to abide by no-fly zones close to the Demilitarized Zone. North Korea responded on Thursday saying it plans to move more troops and military equipment to the border....
Facts
- South Korea has suspended a clause of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, under which Seoul and Pyongyang had agreed to abide by no-fly zones close to the Demilitarized Zone. North Korea responded on Thursday saying it plans to move more troops and military equipment to the border.1
- The development — approved by Pres. Yook Suk Yeol who had previously threatened to terminate the deal purportedly for weakening Seoul's defenses — came a day after North Korea launched its first homemade military reconnaissance satellite in orbit.2
- The launch of 'Malligyong-1,' South Korea argues, has violated a UN Security Council resolution that bans Pyongyang from using ballistic missile technology.3
- The satellite, which has already sent images of US military bases in Guam, will reportedly begin its operation on Dec. 1. Further military reconnaissance satellites are expected to be launched by 2025.4
- However, according to a US government expert, Malligyong-1 is a relatively small, low-resolution satellite, which is unlikely to provide detailed intelligence.5
- Meanwhile, hours after the inter-Korea deal was partially suspended, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected a suspected failed missile test from Pyongyang toward its eastern waters — its first weapons firing in more than two months.6
Sources: 1Al Jazeera (a), 2The New York Times, 3CNN, 4Korea Herald, 5Al Jazeera (b) and 6PBS NewsHour.
Narratives
- Anti-North Korea Narrative, as provided by The Guardian. Malligyong-1's launch further exposes that Pyongyang has been able to consistently bypass international sanctions on its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. For the sake of propaganda, North Korea has once again destabilized the security situation on the peninsula.
- Pro-North Korea narrative, as provided by KCNA. With Malligyong-1 in orbit following its successful launch, North Korea has bolstered its self-defense capabilities and war deterrence amid a security environment that has deteriorated due to its enemies' dangerous military actions in the Korean Peninsula.
