South Korea says it plans to reduce guard posts on the demilitarized zone: NPR

South Korea intends to reduce the number of guard posts along its tense border with North Korea and to withdraw military equipment. This decision comes in negotiations with the United States on how much Seoul should pay for its own defense. According to a report on the North Korean weapons program, Pyongyang has begun dismantling key facilities of a satellite launch station, according to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's promise last month. at the Singapore summit with President Trump. 19659008] In a report on Tuesday, the South Korean Ministry of Defense informed a parliamentary committee of its intention to reduce some guard posts and equipment as a preliminary test of the agreement reached at the April summit in Korea. would consider "Transforming the demilitarized zone into a zone of peace," according to the Yonhap News Agency.

Last week, US and South Korean authorities have "thorny talks about sharing defense costs" under the Agreement on Special Measures, or ASM. The news agency reports:

"SMA talks aim to determine how much Seoul will pay for US forces parking in Korea (USFK), currently totaling" Seoul pays about 960 billion won ($ 850 million) this year under the last five-year agreement, a brutal increase of 150 billion won in 1991, according to government data … The United States is pressuring South Korea to pay much more , including operational support costs, which include the deployment of strategic assets such as aircraft carriers, long-range bombers and nuclear submarines in Korea, 1965-717] Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., reports on the 38 North website, says commercial satellite imagery taken on July 20 on the launch pad of the Sohae satellite launch station in North Korea "indicates that the North has begun dismantling key facilities. Specifically, they include the rail-mounted processing building – where space launchers are prepared before moving them to the launch pad – and the nearby rocket engine test bench to develop liquid fuel engines. for ballistic missiles and space launchers. 19659008] "As these facilities would have played an important role in the development of technologies for the northern intercontinental ballistic missile program, these efforts represent a significant measure of confidence on the part of North Korea," Bermudez writes on the issue. site. 19659008] However, as the Associated Press notes, "other analysts say that such measures would not diminish North Korea's military capabilities or represent a genuine step towards denuclearization."

Nam Gwan-pyo, director of the National Security Presidential Bureau told reporters Tuesday, referring to the 38th North report, "This is a better sign that nothing, and I believe [the North] is moving to Step b The AP reports that the North Korean state media has also "mitigated" their attacks on the United States and South Korea in recent days, although such attacks against Japan – which has taken measures against denuclearization ". A harder line on Pyongyang – increased over the same period.

In a tweet on Monday, Trump said he was "very happy" about the situation vis-à-vis North Korea after the June 12 summit, which he hailed as a turning point in relations with the Pyongyang regime.

"A rocket was not launched by North Korea in 9 months.Also, no nuclear tests.Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy.But the Fake News says, without ever asking me (still anonymous sources), that I'm angry because it's not going fast enough … False, very happy! "

A rocket was not launched by the North Korea for 9 months, no nuclear tests, Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy … But the False News say, without ever asking me (still anonymous sources), that I'm angry because that it does not go fast enough. False, very happy!

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018

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