Why in the news?

South Korea has suspended the 2018 peace agreement and announced the possibility of resuming propaganda broadcasts in North Korea following Pyongyang’s release of thousands of balloons filled with trash and human waste into the South.

Inter-Korean Peace Agreement, 2018

• The 2018 inter-Korean peace agreement refers to several agreements and declarations made between North and South Korea to reduce military tensions and improve diplomatic relations. Key elements of the agreement included:
  • Ceasefire Maintenance: Maintaining and reinforcing the Korean Armistice Agreement.
  • Demilitarization: Implementing measures to reduce military tensions, such as dismantling guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
  • Family Reunions: Facilitating family reunions for those separated by the Korean War.
  • Economic Cooperation: Pursuing economic projects and infrastructure development.
  • Propaganda Halt: Both sides agreed to cease propaganda broadcasts and leaflet drops across the DMZ.

Why did South Korea suspend the 2018 agreement?

• Recent Provocations: North Korea’s recent aggressive actions, including GPS signal jamming, missile launches, and the release of balloons carrying trash and human waste, pose a threat to South Korean security and civilian safety.
• Lack of Trust: The ruling People Power Party (PPP) in South Korea cited a significant erosion of trust between the two Koreas. Senior PPP official Choo Kyung-ho emphasized that mutual trust needs to be restored for any agreements to be honoured.
• Calls for Apology: South Korea demands an immediate apology from North Korea for these provocations, highlighting the need for accountability and reparations for the damages caused.

North Korea emboldened by Russian support 

• Military Assistance: The US has warned that Russia is aiding North Korea in developing advanced weapons technologies, such as hypersonic missiles, in exchange for artillery shells amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
• Diplomatic Shield: As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia provides a diplomatic shield for North Korea, stalling efforts to pass new resolutions condemning North Korean actions. This backing allows Pyongyang to act more aggressively without significant international repercussions.

Escalated Danger of Conflict

The situation on the Korean Peninsula poses an escalated danger of conflict due to several factors:

• Aggressive Posturing: North Korea’s recent actions, including missile tests and aerial provocations, signal an aggressive stance that could lead to military confrontations.
• Policy Shift: Analysts believe Kim Jong Un may be deviating from the defensive policies of his predecessors, adopting a more aggressive strategy aimed at altering the status quo on the peninsula.
• International Alliances: North Korea’s alignment with Russia, and possibly other authoritarian states like China and Iran, suggests a willingness to use military force to achieve geopolitical goals, challenging the US-led liberal world order.
• Military Preparedness: The South Korean military and its allies need to stay vigilant as North Korea tests the South’s air defences and military response times, indicating a higher readiness for potential conflict.

Way forward:

• Engage in Multilateral Talks: Revitalize dialogue with key stakeholders, including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, to address North Korea’s actions and find diplomatic solutions.
• Leverage International Organizations: Utilize platforms like the United Nations to garner international support and pressure North Korea to comply with international norms.

Mains PYQ: 

Q Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (UPSC IAS/2016)

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