Why Did South Korea Suspend The Inter-Korean Agreement?

North Korea launched a military spy satellite named Malligyong-1. This is their first successful launch this year, after failed attempts in May and August. North Korean media reports that this satellite is already sending back images, including those of U.S. military bases in Guam. Understandably, this has raised eyebrows globally.

The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have all condemned this launch. They see it as a breach of United Nations resolutions, which ban North Korea from using ballistic technology — the kind used in missiles and satellite rockets. There’s a worry that this satellite could boost North Korea’s ability to monitor other countries, unsettling the balance in the region.

Now, why is this making headlines? This launch shows North Korea advancing in military technology, particularly in intelligence gathering from space. This is concerning for South Korea and its allies, like the U.S. and Japan. It changes the security landscape in the region.

In another event, North Korea also tried launching a ballistic missile towards the sea, but it failed. The details of this missile are still unclear.

Responding to these actions, South Korea decided to increase its surveillance near its border. This move came after the satellite launch by North Korea, as South Korea sees it as a major threat to its safety and a violation of a previous peace agreement.

Back in 2018, North and South Korea made a peace deal. This was aimed at reducing military tensions. Part of this agreement included a no-fly zone along their heavily guarded border. 

The idea was to lower the chances of conflict. But now, South Korea has partly suspended this agreement. Why? Because they see North Korea’s satellite launch as a break of this peace deal.

This 2018 peace deal, however, has been controversial within South Korea. Critics say it favors North Korea, reducing only conventional military strength but ignoring North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.

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Thus South Korea has partially suspended the inter-Korean agreement because of North Korea’s recent satellite launch, which they see as a threat. 

The 2018 peace deal, meant to ease military tensions, is now under scrutiny in South Korea. Critics argue it overlooks North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal, potentially giving them an upper hand.