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Using all resources to deal with the North

Published: 22 Nov. 2023, 20:01

South Korea has resumed surveillance and reconnaissance operations against North Korea along the tense Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The government took the action at 3 p.m. Wednesday immediately after the North launched a military reconnaissance satellite despite the international society’s concerns. After the government invalidated some of the inter-Korean military agreements in 2018 in reaction to the satellite launch, South Korea can now carry out offensive operations, including reconnaissance, along the MDL.

Pyongyang claimed that the satellite “precisely entered orbit in 705 seconds.” But it did not release detailed data, including on the orbit, this time. But launching a military satellite clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions regardless of whether the satellite operates successfully.

Moreover, the North launched the satellite 77 minutes before the original schedule that it had relayed to the International Maritime Organization. Pyongyang may have chosen the best possible time for the launch in consideration of weather factors. But it was an extremely dangerous act as North Korea did not take into account the safety of aircraft or vessels passing through the area at the time.

Nevertheless, Pyongyang forewarned that it will launch additional satellites soon, adding the military will report a relevant plan to a full members’ meeting of the Workers’ Party at the end of the year. That means it will completely ignore the nullification of the military agreement or the warning from the international community.

Seoul must do its best to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 30 in the United States, given the urgency to independently detect any suspicious movements of the North Korean military. At the same time, the government must maintain deterrence against the North through the deployment of U.S. strategic assets such as F-22 stealth fighters and nuclear-powered subs.

If Pyongyang continues to dismiss Seoul’s suspension of the military agreement, Seoul must mobilize all diplomatic tools to pressure North Korea. The White House National Security Council (NSC) strongly denounced the development of satellite launch vehicles directly linked to North Korea’s ICBM programs. The NSC said that the White House is closely assessing the situation in coordination with allies and partners.

The North will likely raise military tensions on the frontlines, citing the resumption of reconnaissance activities by the South. We must sternly deal with North Korea if it resorts to a military provocation again.