Presidential Office Says "Inter-Korean Agreements May Be Suspended" Following North Korea's Satellite Launch Announcement

Necessary Measures Depending on the Content and Scale of Provocation
"There Is a System to Receive Related Reports During Yoon's Schedule"

On the 21st (local time), the Presidential Office indicated the possibility of suspending the effectiveness of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement in response to North Korea's official announcement of its third military reconnaissance satellite launch.

A senior official from the Presidential Office made this remark at the local press center set up in London during President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the United Kingdom, in response to reporters' questions about whether the September 19 military agreement might be suspended following North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch.

The official stated, "The Inter-Korean Relations Development Act includes a provision that allows for the suspension of part or all of the inter-Korean agreements if serious reasons arise, including national security concerns," adding, "We can take measures based on the content of that provision."

He continued, "Since it has not yet been decided what kind of provocation North Korea will carry out, we need to determine the necessary measures regarding the September 19 inter-Korean agreement based on the nature and scale of the provocation."

The official also explained, "However, North Korea has unilaterally and consistently violated the September 19 agreement over a long period," and added, "We have been informing and explaining in detail to the public about the issues this poses to our security posture."

On the morning of the 21st, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft U-2S took off from Osan Air Base of the United States Forces Korea in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, as North Korea notified the Japanese government of its plan to launch a satellite between the 22nd of this month and the 1st of next month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also made it clear that measures to respond to North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch have already been prepared.

The official said, "Whenever there are new changes or movements from North Korea, we always observe them in advance and discuss how to prepare together with our allied countries," emphasizing, "Regardless of the timing or content of what is expected to be North Korea's so-called third reconnaissance satellite launch, the government has systematically established plans on how to respond and coordinate with allied countries."

The official added, "President Yoon's state visit schedule is tightly packed today, but there is a system in place for the president to be briefed at any time," and said, "If necessary, we will consider convening the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by the president."

He dismissed the possibility that the satellite launch would disrupt the state visit schedule, stating, "Today's schedule is packed up to the state banquet, but a system is prepared for President Yoon to receive briefings at any time," and added, "If the NSC Standing Committee is convened, the schedule will proceed smoothly while continuously monitoring for any gaps."