(LEAD) Defense chief says partial suspension of 2018 military agreement 'minimal defensive measure'

▲ Defense Minister Shin Won-sik speaks during a parliamentary session held at the National Assembly on Nov. 23, 2023. (Yonhap)

▲ K-1 armored vehicles conduct joint defense drills for northwestern islands, in this photo provided by the Marine Corps. on Nov. 23, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) defense chief-military accord

(LEAD) Defense chief says partial suspension of 2018 military agreement 'minimal defensive measure'

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, comments in last four paras; CHANGES photo)

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- Defense chief Shin Won-sik said Thursday that South Korea's partial suspension of a 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction deal is "a proportional response" and "a minimal defensive measure" against Pyongyang following its spy satellite launch.

Shin's comments came hours after North Korea's defense ministry vowed to immediately restore all military measures halted under the Comprehensive Military Agreement and warned that the South must "pay dearly" for its decision.

On Wednesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol approved a motion to suspend a clause in the 2018 accord that calls for setting up a no-fly zone around the Military Demarcation Line separating the two Koreas.

"North Korea's launch of what it calls a military spy satellite on Nov. 21 is a clear violation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions and a serious provocation against the international community, once again showing it has no will to abide by the military agreement," Shin said in a parliamentary session.

"Therefore, the partial suspension of the agreement is an essential measure to protect people's lives and safety. It is a corresponding response to North Korea's provocation and a minimal defensive measure," he added.

In response to the growing threat posed by the North, Shin said the South Korean military will resume aerial surveillance operations near the border region.

"If North Korea stages provocations under the pretext of the suspension, we will respond immediately, strongly and until the end," he said.

Surveillance drones and reconnaissance aircraft were deployed near the border shortly after the suspension took effect Wednesday afternoon, according to military sources. The Marine Corps said it has been staging three-day joint drills near the northwestern islands near the maritime border since Tuesday.

North Korea fired an unspecified ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Wednesday night, but the launch appears to have failed, South Korean military said.

The defense ministry said North Korea may aim to highlight achievements in strategic weapons development and demonstrate surveillance capabilities during an upcoming plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party to boost internal unity amid an economic crisis.

The North typically holds a year-end plenary meeting to review this year's accomplishments and discuss policy goals for the coming year.

With a joint analysis of the satellite's performance currently under way, South Korea and the United States plan to conduct joint drills involving the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which is currently docked at a naval base in the southeastern port city of Busan.

According to sources, the USS Carl Vinson is expected to join naval drills between South Korea and the U.S., as well as trilateral drills involving Japan, scheduled over the weekend.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved