AP: North Korea Cancels 60-year-old Nonaggression Pact

March 7, 2013 9:31 PM
A North Korean soldier looks south through a pair of binoculars on the north side of the truce village of Panmunjom. Reuters Photo
A North Korean soldier looks south through a pair of binoculars on the north side of the truce village of Panmunjom. Reuters Photo

North Korea has canceled the 1953 nonaggression pact it signed with South Korea as well as the emergency hotline established following the Korean War, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

A defense official reached by USNI News issued the following statement:

“The U.S. calls on [North Korea] to refrain from additional provocative actions that would violate its international obligations and run counter to its commitments,” the official said.
“We’re steadfast in our security commitments to the region and stand ready to defend U.S. territories, our allies and national interests.”

The cancelations follow Thursday’s round of sanctions by the United Nations that followed North Korea’s third nuclear weapon’s test.

“It previously said it was canceling a hotline with the United States and the armistice that closed the Korean War in 1953,” reported the AP.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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