DPRK withdraws from Inter-Korean military agreement
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The withdrawal signifies a departure from the military confidence-building measures aimed at de-escalating tensions between the DPRK and South Korea.
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A DPRK military guard post, upper middle, and South Korean post, bottom, are seen from South Korea, near the border with the DPRK, on September 8, 2023. (AP)
In a significant development, the DPRK's defense ministry announced on Thursday, through the state's official news agency KCNA, that it has officially withdrawn from the 2018 inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA). The withdrawal signifies a departure from the military confidence-building measures aimed at de-escalating tensions between the DPRK and South Korea.
The decision comes just a day after South Korea suspended a portion of the CMA in response to the DPRK's launch of a satellite.
The statement issued by Pyongyang emphasized that as a consequence of this withdrawal, the DPRK would be fortifying its border with South Korea. This move indicates an intent to resume all military measures that were previously halted under the CMA, thereby heightening concerns about increased military tension along the shared border.
The DPRK explicitly stated, "From now on, our army will never be bound by the September 19 North-South Military Agreement." It further declared the withdrawal of military steps that were initially implemented to prevent tension and conflict across various domains, including ground, sea, and air. Additionally, the statement highlighted the deployment of more potent armed forces and new-type military hardware along the Military Demarcation Line.
Pyongyang warns South Korea on border
This move follows Pyongyang's successful launch of a satellite on Tuesday, marking its third attempt this year after two earlier failures. South Korean officials assert that the latest launch involved Russian technical assistance.
The withdrawal from the military agreement and the subsequent militarization of the border region stresses the fragile nature of relations between the DPRK and South Korea. Pyongyang warned Seoul that it would be fully responsible for any tension on the borders, hours after they launched a missile attack that reportedly failed.
Read more: S. Korea to consider scrapping 'buffer zone' pact with DPRK: President
