Han: "Suspending the Military Agreement's Effectiveness, We Cannot Entrust Our Security to North Korea"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Meets Press Corps, States Position
"Cannot Rely on Security Based on North Korea's Desired Conditions"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that the government's decision to fully suspend the effectiveness of the 'September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement' in response to North Korea's release of filth balloons reflects the strategy and philosophy that "we cannot allow our security to depend on conditions set by North Korea."

At a press briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 4th, Prime Minister Han was asked why the government took a tough stance by suspending the military agreement's effectiveness. He replied, "Since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the government's firm policy has been that the Republic of Korea must maintain thorough deterrence against threats to our security by North Korea," adding, "It is absolutely unacceptable for the safety of our citizens to be conditioned on whether North Korea wants to provoke or not."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is answering questions during a meeting with the press corps at the Government Seoul Office Annex on the 4th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

That morning, the government held a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han and resolved to fully suspend the military agreement's effectiveness, which President Yoon Suk-yeol approved in the afternoon. North Korea had already declared a 'complete nullification' last November after record provocations, effectively rendering the agreement void while only the South remained bound by it. With the government's decision to suspend the agreement, the shackles that had hindered the military's readiness were removed, allowing the South Korean military to resume broadcasting loudspeakers and conduct live-fire and outdoor maneuver training near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) without restrictions as before the agreement.

Prime Minister Han pointed out, "Despite North Korea's provocations, various provisions of the military agreement, such as bans on military exercises near the MDL, acted as significant shackles on our readiness," and emphasized, "If only the South abides by the military agreement, we cannot guarantee the safety of our citizens when North Korea sends dangerous substances attached to balloons." He added, "It is the state's natural duty to prepare for all worst-case scenarios," and explained, "In that context, considering North Korea's repeated provocations, it was judged appropriate to fully suspend the military agreement's effectiveness until trust between the two Koreas is restored."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is answering questions during a meeting with the press corps at the Government Seoul Office Annex on the 4th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

With the military agreement rendered virtually ineffective due to North Korea's continuous provocations, this measure is evaluated inside and outside the government as enabling the normalization of the South Korean military's readiness. However, concerns have also grown about the possibility of physical clashes with North Korea as the buffer zone on the Korean Peninsula disappears.

On the night of the 2nd, North Korea announced through a statement by Kim Kang-il, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Defense, that it would temporarily suspend the release of filth balloons. The statement also threatened to retaliate "100 times over" if leaflets were distributed from the South, shifting the ball to the South for the next move. It is not impossible that North Korea may resume provocations under the pretext of the South's resumption of frontline military exercises, loudspeaker installations, or leaflet distribution.

Currently, some pro-North groups are reported to have completed preparations for additional leaflet distribution. The government maintains a stance that it is difficult to request restraint, prioritizing 'freedom of expression' in line with the Constitutional Court's ruling declaring the Anti-Leaflet Act unconstitutional. However, there may be behind-the-scenes requests for restraint or appeals for non-public leaflet distribution.

A source said, "If leaflets are distributed publicly, North Korea cannot remain passive and will use that as a pretext for provocations," adding, "As several groups have distributed leaflets secretly, it is necessary to urge some groups not to unnecessarily publicize their leaflet distribution."

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