“We support efforts to manage and alleviate military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.”
The U.S. State Department evaluated the government’s decision to suspend the effectiveness of some provisions of the September 19 Inter-Korean military agreement in response to North Korea’s launch of a ‘military reconnaissance satellite’ as a prudent response.
According to the Voice of America (VOA) on the 22nd (local time), in response to VOA’s request for comment regarding the partial suspension of the September 19 Agreement, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said, “We view this as a decision to respond cautiously and moderately to North Korea’s continued violation of the agreement.”
The State Department pointed out, “The inter-Korean military agreement helped ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but North Korea’s failure to comply with the agreement is posing an unbearable challenge to South Korea’s security.”
He continued, “With South Korea’s suspension of effect, South Korea’s surveillance and reconnaissance activities along the Military Demarcation Line will be restored, improving its ability to monitor threats from North Korea.”
“The United States supports efforts to manage and reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and around the world through military cooperation, transparency, and risk reduction measures,” he said. “Return to discussion,” he urged.
He also said he would continue to raise issues of technology transfer and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
The State Department said, “Expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia challenges regional stability, prolongs Russia’s brutal actions in Ukraine, and weakens the global non-proliferation regime,” adding, “As arms transfers are in direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions, our allies and partners “We will continue to actively raise arms trade issues with the United Nations.”
In response to North Korea’s third launch of a ‘military reconnaissance satellite’, the government suspended the effect of the clause restricting aerial reconnaissance in the Military Demarcation Line area of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement on the 22nd.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.