“North Korea bolsters border forces after South suspends military pact.”
North Korea announced plans to reinforce its military presence along the South Korean border after Seoul suspended a 2018 military agreement due to North Korea’s recent launch of a spy satellite. The Pyongyang defense ministry declared the resumption of all halted military actions, emphasizing a disregard for the previous North-South Military Agreement to prevent border conflict. The statement indicated intentions to deploy more potent armed forces and advanced weaponry along the Military Demarcation Line.
The satellite launch, North Korea’s third attempt this year, followed leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia, where President Putin pledged support for Pyongyang’s satellite endeavors. South Korean officials suspect Russian technical support for the launch, revealing a growing partnership that sees North Korea supplying millions of artillery shells to Russia. Both nations have denied engaging in arms deals but have pledged extended collaboration, particularly concerning satellites.
Reacting to North Korea’s launch, South Korea suspended a part of the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA) and heightened border surveillance. North Korea accused Seoul of scrapping the pact, warning of accountability for any clashes between the Koreas. Shortly after, North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward its east coast, an attempt that South Korea’s military claimed failed.
The U.S. State Department supported South Korea’s decision to suspend the CMA, citing North Korea’s failure to adhere to the agreement. The move aims to enhance South Korea’s surveillance capabilities along the border, including the use of reconnaissance aircraft.
The 2018 summit-signed North-South pact faced criticism for potentially weakening Seoul’s monitoring capacity while North Korea allegedly violated the terms. Experts fear heightened confrontation risks along the border due to the agreement’s collapse. Critics argue that while the agreement aimed at risk reduction, it limited allied surveillance without diminishing the North Korean military threat.
Amid international condemnation for violating U.N. resolutions with its satellite launch, North Korea claimed to have successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit. South Korea confirmed the satellite’s orbit but reserved judgment on its operational status pending further assessment.
