[1/6] A rocket carrying a spy satellite Malligyong-1 is prepared to be launched, as North Korean government claims, in a location given as North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on November 21, 2023. The suspension of a clause in the agreement will see South Korea step up military surveillance along the heavily fortified border with North Korea. U.S.-led efforts to boost U.N. sanctions on North Korea have failed in recent years due to opposition from veto-wielding China and Russia. Critics have said the pact weakened Seoul's ability to monitor North Korea while Pyongyang had violated the agreement. North Korea had notified Japan of a satellite launch after two failed attempts to put what it called spy satellites into orbit this year.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 22, 2023 22:03 UTC