N. Korea condemns S. Korea over suspension of military accord

North Korea denounced South Korea on Thursday over the partial suspension of a 2018 military tension-reduction agreement, saying Seoul has “pulled the last remaining safety pin with its own hands.”

The criticism came as Seoul partially suspended part of the Comprehensive Military Agreement in protest of Pyongyang’s launch of a military spy satellite.

North Korea has said it would restore all military measures halted under the deal. It has since armed its soldiers in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas with pistols, in addition to restoring guard posts and placing heavy firearms along the inter-Korean border.

In an editorial carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang said it is “clear” that a “dismal consequence” will await Seoul, noting that the North’s defense ministry has declared it will “never be bound” by the agreement.