▲ In this file photo, National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong (L) arrives in San Francisco on Nov. 15, 2023, for President Yoon Suk Yeol's three-day visit to the U.S. city to attend the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. (Yonhap)
▲ South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (R) meets with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, ahead of their bilateral talks in the southeastern port city of Busan on Nov. 26, 2023. (Yonhap)

security adviser-military accord

National security adviser defends partial suspension of 2018 military accord with N. Korea

SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong on Sunday defended South Korea's decision to partially suspend a 2018 tension reduction deal with North Korea, saying the decision was aimed at "protecting the 20 million people of the greater Seoul area."

Cho made the remarks after President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday approved a motion to suspend a clause in the 2018 accord that calls for setting up a no-fly zone around the Military Demarcation Line separating the two Koreas.

The decision came in response to the North's launch of a rocket carrying a military spy satellite late Tuesday. Pyongyang has vowed to immediately restore all measures under the agreement following Seoul's suspension of the inter-Korean military accord.

"The Sept. 19 agreement is a deal that is immensely disadvantageous for us," Cho said in an interview with Yonhap News TV. "The essence of the partial suspension is restoring our surveillance and reconnaissance activities."

Cho stressed that the greater Seoul area is within the North's target range and that the 2018 military accord had blocked Seoul from making a counterattack in the case the North appears to be launching a long-range artillery strike.

"It is a purely defensive measure taken at a minimum," Cho said in response to concerns the partial suspension of the military accord may escalate tensions.

Cho made clear that the government has been "keeping the door to dialogue open," saying humanitarian affairs, such as a reunion of separated families or necessary support for the North, could be considered.

"North Korea is not responding to suggestions for talks to talk through these issues," Cho said.

Speaking on a possible trilateral summit among South Korea, China and Japan, Cho said while such gathering may not materialize this year, he "anticipates" the summit will take place.

Cho added Beijing may consider planning for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Seoul once the trilateral summit takes place.

Cho said Yoon's recent state visit to Britain will "go down in history" as a visit that has made South Korea an "important partner of Britain" to the ranks of countries such as China and Japan.

Cho said while he believes South Korea is still a "follower" in the competition to host the 2030 World Expo, the country has made much progress on the back of Yoon's diplomacy efforts, adding there are people who view the country has a chance.

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