SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea plans to suspend a military agreement signed with North Korea in 2018 aimed at easing tensions, the presidential office announced Monday. This decision follows Seoul's warning of a strong response to balloons launched by Pyongyang carrying trash to the South.

North Korea has launched hundreds of balloons carried by wind across the border that dropped trash throughout South Korea, which called it a provocation and rejected Pyongyang’s claim that it was done to inconvenience its neighbor.

A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea is seen over a rice field in Cheorwon, South Korea, on Wednesday.

The National Security Council (NSC) stated that it would propose the plan to suspend the entirety of the military agreement for approval by the cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday.

Suspending the agreement will allow South Korea to conduct training near the military border and take “sufficient and immediate measures” in response to North Korea’s provocations, the NSC said in a statement. The council did not elaborate on what those measures might entail.

Background of the 2018 Military Agreement

The 2018 pact was the most substantive deal to emerge from months of historic summit meetings between the two Koreas, aimed at reducing military tensions and preventing accidental clashes. However, the agreement has been largely ineffective since Pyongyang declared last year that it was no longer bound by it. Following this declaration, North Korea deployed troops and weapons at guard posts near the military border.

By continuing to comply with the pact, “there have been considerable problems in our military’s readiness posture,” the NSC remarked.

South Korea's Response to the Trash Balloons

South Korea had previously indicated it would take “unendurable” measures against North Korea for sending the trash balloons over the border. These measures could include using loudspeakers at the border to broadcast propaganda directed at the North.

North Korea's Stance

North Korea claimed the balloons were a response to a propaganda campaign by defectors and activists in South Korea, who regularly send balloons containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, medicine, money, and USB sticks loaded with K-pop music videos and dramas across the border. North Korea has reacted strongly to this campaign due to concerns about the potential impact on the psychology of its citizens and the state's control over the public.

Recent Developments

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised firing drills involving nuclear-capable, multiple rocket launchers to demonstrate the country's ability to carry out preemptive attacks on South Korea, state media reported Friday. This show of force underscores the escalating tensions between the two nations.

Conclusion

The escalating situation between North and South Korea highlights the fragile nature of their relationship and the significant impact of propaganda and psychological operations in their ongoing conflict. The decision to suspend the 2018 military agreement marks a pivotal moment, potentially leading to increased military readiness and strategic responses on both sides of the border. As the situation evolves, both countries will need to navigate a complex and volatile landscape to prevent further escalation and maintain regional stability.