North Korea rebuilds frontline guard posts in bold move
North Korea Restoring Front-Line Guard Posts in Major and Aggressive Shift
In a major and aggressive move, North Korea is restoring front-line guard posts that it had previously dismantled during a period of inter-Korean rapprochement, according to South Korea’s military. This comes after tensions escalated between the two rivals over North Korea’s recent spy satellite launch.
Under a 2018 deal aimed at easing military confrontations, both Koreas had dismantled or disarmed 11 of their guard posts along the heavily fortified border known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). However, the deal is now at risk of being scrapped as both countries openly threaten to breach it.
The 2018 agreement required the two Koreas to halt aerial surveillance and live-fire exercises in the no-fly and buffer zones established along the DMZ. It also involved the removal of some front-line guard posts and land mines. As a result, South Korea was left with 50 board guard posts, while North Korea had 150.
After North Korea claimed to have placed its first military spy satellite into orbit on November 21, South Korea announced that it would partially suspend the 2018 deal and resume aerial surveillance along the DMZ in response. South Korea justified its response as a defensive measure, as the launch indicated North Korea’s intentions to strengthen its monitoring of the South and improve its missile technology.
In retaliation, North Korea criticized South Korea’s decision and announced its own tit-for-tat measure of deploying powerful weapons at the border. The North also declared that it would no longer abide by the 2018 deal.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry revealed on Monday that it had detected North Korea building guard posts at the sites where its dismantled guard posts once stood. It also reported the deployment of troops and heavy weapons by North Korea in those areas.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ordered the military to closely monitor North Korea and maintain a state of readiness. The Defense Ministry stated that it is prepared to “promptly and strongly punish” North Korea for any provocations it launches.
The satellite launch by North Korea was strongly condemned by South Korea, the United States, and other nations, who viewed it as a provocation that threatens regional peace. The United Nations Security Council has resolutions in place that prohibit any satellite launches by North Korea, considering them as covers for testing long-range missile technology. However, North Korea claims its sovereign rights to launch spy satellites in response to what it perceives as escalating U.S.-led military threats.
Kim Son Gyong, a senior North Korean Foreign Ministry official, criticized the condemnation of the satellite launch by the U.S. and others as a violation of North Korea’s sovereignty. South Korean officials have confirmed that the North Korean satellite entered orbit, but they require more time to verify its functionality.
North Korea’s state media reported that leader Kim Jong Un was shown pictures taken by the spy satellite of a military facility in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam. Earlier reports stated that Kim had also been presented with satellite photos of U.S. military bases in Hawaii and key sites in South Korea. However, North Korea has not released these satellite images.
Kim previously described the satellite as providing North Korea with “eyes overlooking a very long distance and a strong fist beating a very long distance.” While experts doubt its ability to capture high-resolution images, they acknowledge its military usefulness for North Korea.
South Korea suspects that Russian technological assistance likely enabled North Korea to launch the spy satellite into space. South Korean, U.S., and Japanese officials have accused North Korea of seeking advanced Russian technologies to enhance its military programs in exchange for shipping conventional arms to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea have denied the alleged weapons transfer deal.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post North Korea Restoring Front-Line Guard Posts in Major and Aggressive Shift appeared first on The Western Journal.
How does the restoration of front-line guard posts by North Korea impact the overall security and stability of the Korean Peninsula?
S.-South Korean military threats and exercises.
The restoration of front-line guard posts by North Korea marks a significant shift in the tense relationship between the two countries. The dismantling of these guard posts in 2018 was a symbolic act of peace and reconciliation, signaling a willingness to de-escalate tensions. However, recent events have created a dangerous environment, pushing both countries to revert to a more aggressive stance.
The 2018 deal aimed to reduce military confrontations by establishing no-fly and buffer zones along the DMZ. It also required the removal of front-line guard posts and land mines. While South Korea complied with the agreement and dismantled 11 guard posts, North Korea still had 150. The restoration of these guard posts signals a return to a more heavily fortified and confrontational border.
North Korea’s satellite launch on November 21 was a significant trigger for the recent escalation. South Korea, viewing this launch as a threat to its national security, responded by partially suspending the 2018 deal and resuming aerial surveillance along the DMZ. This tit-for-tat exchange further deteriorated the already strained relations between the two countries.
The deployment of troops and heavy weapons by North Korea at the sites where guard posts were restored further demonstrates their intent to strengthen their monitoring of the South and enhance their missile technology. South Korea, under the leadership of President Yoon Suk Yeol, has ordered the military to closely monitor North Korea and be prepared to respond strongly to any provocations.
The international community has condemned North Korea’s satellite launch, seeing it as a provocation that threatens regional peace. The United Nations Security Council has already established resolutions prohibiting such launches by North Korea, considering them a cover for testing long-range missile technology. However, North Korea asserts its sovereign rights to launch spy satellites in response to perceived threats.
The restoration of front-line guard posts by North Korea is a major and aggressive shift that significantly heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula. With both countries openly threatening to breach the 2018 agreement, the risk of a military conflict looms large. It is crucial for all parties involved to exercise restraint, prioritize peaceful dialogue, and seek diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation. The international community must also play a constructive role in encouraging dialogue and easing tensions in this volatile region.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
