SEOUL - The South Korean Cabinet, in an extraordinary meeting led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, has approved a proposal to partially suspend a key section of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement. This decision is in response to North Korea's recent launch of a military spy satellite and is pending approval by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently on a state visit to Britain.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The move follows North Korea's claim of successfully placing a spy satellite into orbit, marking its third attempt at such a launch. The Cabinet's decision targets Article 1, Clause 3 of the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement, which will enable South Korea to resume reconnaissance and surveillance operations in the area around the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), also known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo remarked during the meeting that this action is necessary due to North Korea's apparent disregard for the September 19 Military Agreement, which was originally designed to reduce military tension and build trust on the Korean Peninsula. The suspension of this part of the agreement is seen as crucial for enhancing South Korea's ability to identify and respond to potential threats from the North.
The 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement, signed under the previous administration of President Moon Jae-in, aimed to halt hostile military activity, establish maritime buffer zones, and transform the DMZ into a peace zone. President Yoon Suk Yeol, leading the presidential National Security Council meeting remotely from London, was briefed on the launch's details by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.