The defense ministry in Seoul has reported that North Korea is reconstructing its guard posts and placing heavy weapons along the border with South Korea. This follows the two countries’ withdrawal from a significant agreement meant to promote trust and prevent war.
According to reports from the media, the South Korean military stated that they had discovered North Korean troops repairing hidden guard posts that were previously destroyed as part of a military agreement in 2018. This agreement aimed to decrease the likelihood of a conflict along the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ).
The military of the South reported that soldiers from North Korea were seen digging trenches at various locations along the border, and that the regime had also deployed heavy weaponry in the area.
Since the conclusion of the 1950-53 Korean war, the DMZ has served as a physical barrier between the two countries and is considered a potential hotspot in potential conflicts between North and South Korea.
The 2018 agreement led to the removal of 11 guard posts by the neighbours. However, following the North’s launch of a spy satellite in violation of UN sanctions, tensions have increased and both sides seem willing to abandon the deal.
Following the initial launch, Seoul announced that it would temporarily halt certain aspects of the agreement and resume conducting aerial surveillance near the border. In retaliation, Pyongyang declared its intention to station formidable weaponry near the border and withdraw from the agreement.
During a time of improved relations between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, an agreement was made to remove guard posts within 1km of the border, prohibit military exercises near the land and sea borders, and create no-fly zones.
On Monday, the South Korean defense ministry released photos to the press depicting North Korean soldiers constructing a temporary guard post and relocating what appeared to be a recoilless rifle, a portable weapon used against vehicles or as light artillery, to a recently constructed trench.
The Yonhap news agency reported that our military will closely observe any provocative actions from North Korea and remain fully prepared to respond immediately, thanks to our enhanced joint posture with the US.
The government of North Korea has declared their intention to send additional satellites into orbit, which goes against the restrictions set by the United Nations Security Council. This is due to the fact that the satellites contain components that are also utilized in the development of long-range ballistic missiles.
The North Korean foreign ministry, in a statement released by the state-controlled KCNA news agency on Monday, rejected criticism from the United States and nine other nations on the UN security council regarding their satellite launch.
The statement declared that the launch was a lawful and fair means of protecting itself and effectively addressing and closely monitoring any significant military actions taken by the US and its supporters.
Officials from South Korea have verified that the satellite successfully entered into orbit. Further assessment is necessary to determine its operational status. There are theories that the launch may have been aided by technology from Russia, potentially in exchange for North Korean weapons to assist in the Kremlin’s conflict in Ukraine.
Source: theguardian.com
