North Korea is restoring military power to the border with guard posts, soldiers and heavy equipment, South Korea says

South Korea claims that North Korea is restoring border guard posts in the demilitarized zone that both countries dismantled as part of the 2018 military agreement between the countries. International news agencies reported this on Monday. According to Seoul, Pyongyang has also moved troops and heavy military equipment into the zone, which consists of the actual border and two buffer zones, each two kilometers wide.

The two countries have never had a relationship of trust since the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), but the relationship came under new tension last week after North Korea successfully launched a military spy satellite. In theory, such a satellite could significantly expand North Korea’s military capabilities. In addition, according to South Korea, Japan and the US, the launch goes against UN resolutions that prohibit Pyongyang from using ballistic missiles. Such a rocket carried the spy satellite into space.

South Korea interpreted the launch as a “serious provocation that threatens our national security” and responded by partially suspending the 2018 treaty. Aerial border surveillance was resumed, although it was ended in 2018 — as were shooting exercises at the border. That provoked a response from North Korea, which practiced moderate missile launches, while South Korea held military exercises with its democratic allies.

End of de-escalating phase

Little is left of the 2018 military treaty aimed at de-escalation, especially because North Korea has said it will no longer adhere to it. Kim Jong-un’s government threatened to move troops and heavy weapons towards the border last week. According to South Korea, this is now actually the case: the army told the local press on Monday that North Korea is restoring guard posts at the border and is also creating trenches where the soldiers and heavy equipment are sent.

South Korea suspects that North Korea managed to successfully launch the spy satellite thanks to technological support from Russia. Two previous attempts ended in failure earlier this year. Along with its allies, Seoul accuses North Korea of ​​relying on high-end Russian technology to expand its military capabilities in exchange for arms support to Russia for the war in Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea deny this

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