1 of 3 South Korean tank fires during military exercises on the country's North Island on January 5, 2024. — Photo: South Korean Defense Ministry via AP South Korean tank fires during military exercises on the country's North Island on January 5, 2024. — Photo: South Korea Defense Ministry via AP
Spy satellite, breach of nonaggression agreement, international ballistic missile tests, missile launches in border areas, many threats.
O g1 explains why relations between the two countries deteriorated again after a milder phase and even the return of dialogue.
It was a brief period of reconciliation, unprecedented since the end of the war between the two countries. The war ended in 1953 without a winner and with the two Koreas splitting up the north was communist; the south, capitalist.
The 2018 nonaggression agreement was abandoned by both parties late last year and is at risk of being formally abolished.
2 of 3 In a picture from 2018, then South Korean President Moon Jaein and North Korean leader Kim Jongun hold hands during the announcement of an agreement in the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries Photo: Korea Summit Press Pool/via Portal In a picture from 2018, then South Korean President Moon Jaein and North Korean leader Kim Jongun hold hands during the announcement of an agreement in the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries Photo: Korea Summit Press Pool /via Portal
Relations began to deteriorate due to the geopolitical situation redefined after the war in Ukraine. In the fight for more influence in Asia, US President Joe Biden signed a partnership with South Korea and Japan during a trip to the continent in 2022.
Since then, US troops have been carrying out military maneuvers together with the South Korean army, which North Korean leader Kim Jongun describes as a provocation.
In response, Pyongyang conducted dozens of missile tests in 2022 and 2023, a record in its history. The move also increased the frequency of American and South Korean exercises Cycle of retaliation that lasted throughout 2023.
In response, South Korea decided to withdraw from the pact. Seoul also resumed aerial surveillance of the front line of the border between the two countries, which was also banned in the 2018 pact. In response, the neighboring country declared that it would no longer abide by the 2018 agreement and would again install weapons on the border.
Last week, Kim Jongun said Pyongyang was fundamentally changing its policy toward South Korea, which is now considered an enemy state.
3 of 3 A South Korean tank fires during joint military exercises with the United States in Pocheon, a South Korean city near the border with North Korea, on January 4, 2024. — Photo: Lee Jinman/ AP South Korean tank Korean man fires shots during joint military exercises with the United States in Pocheon, a South Korean city near the border with North Korea, January 4, 2024. — Photo: Lee Jinman/ AP
North Korea fires more than two hundred shots near its maritime border with South Korea
Following the clashes between the two Koreas, rival powers such as the United States as well as Russia and China have entered the conflict, further escalating tensions.
In contrast to the USSouth Korea military partnership, China, Russia and North Korea have expressed constant support for each other.
This week the United States accused Russia of using North Koreansupplied missiles to attack Ukraine and said Pyongyang was increasingly supporting Russia's invasion of the neighboring country.