North Korean soldiers are spotted near a guard post in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas in this handout photo released by the Ministry of National Defense, Monday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

North Korea has recently restored guard posts and beefed up its military presence in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas after declaring that it was no longer bound by the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement that had banned all hostile acts against each other, Seoul’s military officials said, Monday, citing photographs of the region.

The South Korean military and defense ministry officials said in a press briefing that they detected increased military activity across the border area, with North Korean soldiers building guard posts and setting up heavy weaponry in them.

As specified in the 2018 military agreement, the two Koreas destroyed 10 out of the 11 guard posts they each had in the border area and left one each for historical or other reasons. However, the North vowed Thursday to resume all banned military measures in response to Seoul’s partial suspension of the pact, which came after the North’s launch of a military spy satellite, Nov. 21.

North Korean soldiers carry a recoilless rifle near a guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas in this handout photo released by the Ministry of National Defense, Monday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

A military official said the restoration work was first observed last Friday, and the North appears to be restoring the guard posts following its threat to break the military pact.

“There are a few guard posts which are not showing signs of restoration, but the North is expected to restore all of them as they are essential facilities for surveillance,” the official said.

There have been several occasions where North Korean military activities have been observed near destroyed guard posts since the 2018 pact was signed, but the military said this is the first time that restoration, heavy arms and soldiers standing guard duty have been observed.

In response, new Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Kim Myung-soo explained that South Korea might also restore guard posts in the DMZ.

“It depends on how the enemy acts,” Kim said in a meeting with reporters, referring to the North as the enemy. “North Korea has broken the trust between the two Koreas, so our military’s response will be known soon. There will be countermeasures.”

Kim continued that he wants to create “a proactive military that embodies a true military spirit” and added that “maintaining a readiness posture in response to North Korea's actions is the most significant mission” for him.

North Korean soldiers restore a guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas in this handout photo released by the Ministry of National Defense, Monday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

The Ministry of National Defense also released a statement in line with Kim’s view.

“Through its statement, the North distorted the facts and virtually declared the breakdown of the military agreement, resuming military activities that were banned under the agreement,” the statement reads.

“Our military will be fully prepared to implement prompt response measures to North Korea's restoration actions.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol also ordered the military to beef up its readiness.

According to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon, JCS Chairman Kim briefed Yoon on the recent border activities of the North on Monday morning, and the president ordered the military to “maintain a robust military readiness posture and closely monitor North Korea's movements to reassure national safety.”