Inter-Korean relations in 2023 suffered further strain due to North Korea’s continued provocations.

In March, the reclusive state boasted its capacity to miniaturize nuclear warheads and diversify the means of delivery by unveiling its tactical nuclear warheads, the "Hwasan-31."

The North test-fired intercontinental ballistic missiles(ICBM) a total of five times this year, including a launch in December of a solid-fuel ICBM, considered to be an elevated threat over liquid-fuel rockets given their resistance to adverse weather conditions and quicker launch preparations.

In September, the regime unequivocally doubled down on its nuclear ambitions with the parliamentary adoption of a constitutional revision stipulating a more advanced deployment of nuclear weapons to defend of the country’s right to exist and develop as well as serve as a war deterrent while protecting regional and global peace.

The highlight for Pyongyang this year was the launch of its first military reconnaissance satellite in November.

After two failed attempts, the North successfully put its first spy satellite into orbit, claiming that photos were taken of the White House, the Pentagon and U.S. military bases in Guam and Hawaii as well as parts of South Korea, including Seoul, Mokpo, Busan and Daegu.

In the wake of the continued provocations, the South Korean government partially suspended the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement intended to quell tensions, to which the North responded by scrapping the deal all together.

Throughout the year, North Korea refrained from engaging in dialogue and instead directed efforts to the advancement of its nuclear weapons and missile programs while ratcheting up threats against South Korea and the U.S., effectively incapacitating the only safety mechanism to maintain peace on the peninsula.

Photo : YONHAP News

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