North Korea cancels military agreement with South Korea, announces new weapons deployment

The statement from North Korea's Defense Ministry came a day after South Korea suspended part of an agreement between the two countries in response to Pyongyang's launch of a spy satellite. Seoul also said it would immediately step up surveillance along the military demarcation line with North Korea.

"From now on, our military will never be bound by the September 19 North-South Military Agreement," Reuters quoted the statement as referring to the agreement signed on September 19, 2018.

North Korea cancels military agreement with South Korea, announces new weapons deployment

"We will end measures taken to prevent military tensions and conflicts in all domains including land, sea and air, and will deploy stronger armed forces and new types of military equipment in the areas along the military demarcation line," the statement said.

North Korea accused South Korea of scrapping the agreement, officially known as the "Comprehensive Military Agreement", and said Seoul would "bear all responsibility in case of an irreparable clash" between the two Koreas.

North Korea launched a spy satellite on November 21.

North Korea's statement came hours after the country fired a ballistic missile into the sea east of the Korean peninsula late on November 22. The South Korean military said the launch appeared to have failed.

A US State Department spokesman said South Korea's decision to partially suspend the 2018 agreement was a "cautious and restrained response", accusing North Korea of "non-compliance".

"South Korea's suspension will restore surveillance and reconnaissance activities along the South Korean side of the military demarcation line, improving South Korea's ability to monitor threats from North Korea," Reuters quoted the official as saying.

North Korea claims successful launch of military surveillance satellite

The suspended agreement was signed at a 2018 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Critics say the deal has weakened Seoul's ability to monitor North Korea while Pyongyang has violated the agreement.

North Korea said on November 22 that it had successfully launched its first spy satellite into orbit after two failed attempts. UN resolutions ban North Korea from using technology used in ballistic missile programs.

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