S. Korea: September 19 military agreement to be suspended if N. Korea launches reconnaissance satellite

The South Korean military sent a public final warning on Monday to North Korea that the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement will be suspended if the North launches a military reconnaissance satellite. The military sent an unprecedented warning based on the judgment that North Korea is likely to launch a reconnaissance satellite this week. In case of the launch, the South Korean military will suspend the effect of partial clauses of the agreement, including lifting the land, sea, and air buffer zones, which restrict surveillance on North Korea and live fire training in front-line areas. The South Korean government believes that Russia dispatched its personnel to the North to provide critical help to advance the North’s reconnaissance satellite technology.

The South Korean military announced a warning by the Joint Chiefs of Staff against North Korea regarding North Korea’s launch of a military reconnaissance satellite. It made a high-level criticism by saying that North Korea’s launch of a military reconnaissance satellite is a provocation that threatens South Korea’s national security. “Maintaining the restriction on the South Korean military’s intelligence watch activities in contact areas according to the September 19 agreement largely undermines the military’s readiness posture and may cause a failure to protect our people’s lives and safety,” the military said. “If the North proceeds with the launch despite our warning, we will take actions needed to protect our people’s lives and safety. The military has clarified that the September 19 agreement will be suspended in case of the launch.

The South Korean government believes that North Korea is about 75 to 80 percent ready to make its third attempt to launch the satellite. An information authority reportedly identified that a North Korean satellite launch vehicle and other launch equipment were moved to the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province. The South Korean and U.S. military believe that it will take about a week for the North to produce a launch pad, erect a projectile, and inject liquid fuel.


Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com