Government Reaffirms Unchanged Stance on September 19 Military Agreement Restoration... North Korea Launches Missiles Again

The government has reaffirmed its stance of maintaining a phased restoration of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement. However, North Korea has continued its missile provocations this year, and related discussions, including consultations with the United Nations Command (UNC), have shown no progress.

On the 19th, North Korea's Missile Command conducted a test launch to evaluate the warhead power of the improved surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile 'Hwasongpho-11ra' type, with State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae in attendance, the Korean Central Television reported on the 20th. Yonhap News

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters at the Seoul Government Complex on the 26th, "The government's position remains unchanged: we will preemptively and gradually restore the September 19 Military Agreement to ease military tensions and rebuild trust between the two Koreas."

According to some media reports, the government conducted its own review and held consultations with the UNC to preemptively restore the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, but all related procedures have reportedly been fully suspended since March.

Regarding this, the official stated, "Specific restoration measures are under discussion with relevant ministries." However, when asked about the suspension of discussions with the UNC, the official responded, "I am not aware."

The Ministry of National Defense also stated on this day, "We are providing military support for the government's policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "While maintaining a firm military readiness posture and the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, we will continue to review and implement various measures to build military trust."

Previously, President Lee Jaemyung announced in last year's Liberation Day address that the September 19 Military Agreement would be preemptively and gradually restored to ease tensions and rebuild trust between the two Koreas. Minister of Unification Chung Dongyoung also mentioned in February, when announcing measures to prevent a recurrence of North Korean drone intrusions into civilian areas, that restoration efforts would begin with re-establishing the no-fly zone stipulated in the September 19 Agreement.

However, no concrete follow-up measures have been taken so far. The primary reason cited is North Korea's "two hostile states" stance toward the South. North Korea strengthened this policy at the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party and the subsequent Supreme People's Assembly, declaring that "South Korea is officially recognized as the most hostile nation."

Amid these circumstances, North Korea fired several close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) into the West Sea again in the afternoon. Including this launch, North Korea has conducted eight ballistic missile launches so far this year.

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il stated, "The government once again urges North Korea to respond to our peace policy and efforts to reduce tensions." He added, "While maintaining our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, we will continue efforts to achieve substantive progress in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through a phased and practical approach in close cooperation with the international community."

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