South Korea Warns North Korea to Halt Spy Satellite Launch Activities, Threatens Necessary Measures
After North Korea's two failed test launches in August, it was rumored that North Korea was preparing for its third military reconnaissance satellite launch, and South Korea's military issued a solemn warning to North Korea on the 20th to immediately stop the military reconnaissance satellite launch activities, and threatened that if North Korea persisted in doing so, it would take the necessary measures to protect the lives and safety of its nationals.
Earlier this month, South Korea's intelligence agency said that North Korea was in the final stages of preparations for its third satellite launch. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said on 19 September that Pyongyang would launch a satellite as soon as this week. Kang Ho-pil, Chief of Operations of the Joint Staff Headquarters, pointed out on the 20th that the UN Security Council resolution prohibits North Korea from all missile launch activities utilizing ballistic missile technology. However, North Korea has ignored repeated warnings from the U.S., South Korea, and other international communities, and insists on continuing to launch a military reconnaissance satellite, which is a provocative act that poses a serious threat to South Korea's national security. If North Korea disregards our warnings and forces the launch of military surveillance satellites, the South Korean military will take the necessary measures to safeguard the lives of its citizens.
Analysis suggests that the necessary measures mentioned by Kang Ho-pil may refer to the partial suspension of a number of agreements signed by the two Koreas since 1991, including the effectiveness of the 919 Military Agreement. The designation of a no-fly zone under the 919 Military Agreement restricts the surveillance and monitoring activities of the South Korean military. He said that the purpose of North Korea's military surveillance satellite launch was to enhance its surveillance capability on South Korea. However, the fact that the surveillance activities of the South Korean military are restricted by the 919 Military Agreement has greatly reduced the readiness of the South Korean military, which in turn will result in the failure to ensure the safety of national lives in a practical manner.
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