South Korea says it boosts surveillance after North claims spy satellite launch

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what the country said is the launch of the Malligyong-1, a military spy satellite, into orbit on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. (uncredited/AP)

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will partially suspend an inter-Korean agreement Wednesday to restart frontline aerial surveillance of North Korea, after the North said it launched a military spy satellite in violation of United Nations bans, Seoul officials said.

The South Korean announcement — which will likely infuriate North Korea — came hours after the North claimed to have placed a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in its third such launch attempt this year.