South Korea accuses North of jamming its GPS system for 10th consecutive day

South Korea has accused North Korea of continuing to jam its Global Positioning System (GPS) signals across the border for the 10th consecutive day. The South Korean military reported the disruption early on Sunday, detecting GPS jamming in the northern part of Gangwon Province. This latest incident adds to a growing list of similar disruptions attributed to North Korea.

Yonhap News, based in Seoul, reported that the South Korean military has identified over 300 instances of GPS interference this month, which it believes are being caused by North Korea. These incidents, which have raised serious concerns about the reliability of GPS systems in the region, have prompted South Korea to take the issue to international authorities. In June, South Korea formally raised the issue of North Korea’s repeated GPS jamming with three key international agencies: the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). South Korea urged these bodies to take appropriate action to prevent such provocations from continuing.

Despite these concerns, the South Korean military has indicated that the jamming has not affected critical military operations or equipment, though it may pose a threat to civilian vessels and aircraft operating in the area. The jamming is believed to be part of North Korea's ongoing military exercises, potentially as a response to the presence of drones near the border, according to the South Korean military.

The situation is made even more tense by recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. Last month, North Korea accused South Korea of sending drones into its airspace, an incident that further escalated tensions between the two nations. Additionally, North Korea has recently conducted missile launches, while South Korea, in partnership with the United States, has conducted joint military drills, further fueling the strained relationship between the two Koreas.

The repeated GPS jamming incidents are seen as part of North Korea's broader strategy to counter the perceived threat of surveillance and reconnaissance efforts by South Korea and its allies. While the South Korean military has been able to mitigate the immediate effects of the jamming, concerns about the broader implications for civilian navigation and regional stability persist

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