North Korea Warning Message... Suspension of 9·19 Military Agreement in Case of Satellite Launch
The Joint Chiefs of Staff on the 20th issued a stern warning to North Korea to "immediately halt the launch of the military reconnaissance satellite currently being prepared."
In the North Korea warning message released that day, the Joint Chiefs stated, "If North Korea proceeds with the military reconnaissance satellite launch despite our warnings, our military will take necessary measures to ensure the lives and safety of our citizens."
Earlier, on the 19th, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik appeared on KBS's 'Sunday Diagnosis Live' and said regarding North Korea's satellite launch movements, "Preparations are steadily underway to launch within about a week," adding, "It is understood that with Russia's help, most of the engine issues have been resolved." This implies that after North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia in September, Russia supplied North Korea with at least 2,000 containers worth of weapons and, in return, provided a 'one-point technical transfer' related to the satellite launch.
The government plans to partially suspend the effectiveness of the September 19, 2018 inter-Korean military agreement regardless of the success of North Korea's third satellite launch attempt.
Given that North Korea has conducted at least 17 violations of the agreement through military provocations over the past five years, the military authorities judge that under the current circumstances, "strengthening readiness" is more important than "compliance with the agreement." However, instead of completely nullifying the agreement, they are internally reviewing a plan to partially suspend only those elements of the agreement that restrict reconnaissance and surveillance postures and the military's countermeasures against North Korea's military provocations.
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