Moon Administration Lawmakers Urge Suspension of Measures Weakening September 19 Agreement

"Is Aerial Reconnaissance Along the Demilitarized Zone the Only Way to Monitor North Korea's Movements?"

In response to North Korea's launch of a military reconnaissance satellite, the government today suspended part of the effectiveness of the 'September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement,' prompting lawmakers from the Moon Jae-in administration to urge the government to "stop weakening the September 19 measures."

Yoon Gun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and known as the 'right-hand man' of former President Moon Jae-in, posted a statement on his social media on the 22nd on behalf of the Forum Sa-ui-jae, the Korean Peninsula Peace Forum, and former Moon Jae-in administration Blue House lawmakers, calling for this.

Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the Environment and Labor Committee's audit held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Yoon said, "We strongly condemn North Korea's launch of a military reconnaissance satellite, which violates UN Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, we urge our government to stop measures that weaken the September 19 Military Agreement, the safety pin of peace on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "The North's military reconnaissance satellite launch and our partial suspension of the September 19 Military Agreement's effectiveness have heightened military tensions and the possibility of accidental military clashes between the two Koreas, raising concerns that this could lead to the complete abolition of the military agreement."

He described the abolition of the September 19 Military Agreement as "the nullification of the last safety device to prevent war on the Korean Peninsula," expressing concern that "the security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula will further deteriorate."

Regarding the government's suspension of the clause banning flights in the border area under the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, citing reasons such as "limiting the military's reconnaissance capabilities against the North," Yoon questioned, "Is it only by flying our drones and aerial reconnaissance assets around the Demilitarized Zone that we can grasp North Korea's military movements? Does this mean our military's reconnaissance capabilities are only this limited?"

He added, "We are also planning to launch a military reconnaissance satellite at the end of this month. If the North declares suspension or termination of the military agreement, how will we respond?" emphasizing, "At a time when stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula are being shaken, the government must re-recognize the importance of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement in promoting military stability on the Korean Peninsula."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.