South Korea has decided to suspend part of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement aimed at easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang's launch of what it says is a military spy satellite.

The South Korean government made the decision at an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The move was approved by President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The government said it will suspend the effectiveness of a clause that designates no-fly zones around the military demarcation line separating North and South Korea. It said Seoul will resume reconnaissance and surveillance activities there.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the partial suspension is a necessary and minimum defense measure for national security.

South Korean government officials note that the military deal, which was signed by the previous administration, is in name only.

They said North Korea has repeatedly violated the agreement through actions such as firing shells toward the sea and flying drones into South Korea's airspace.

Meanwhile, North Korea released photos of its third launch of what it says is a military spy satellite on Tuesday night.

The Wednesday edition of the ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, carried 16 photos on its front and second pages.

Several images show a new type of rocket taking off with orange flames spewing out.

In other photos, the country's leader Kim Jong Un is overseeing the launch and smiling as national space agency officials congratulate him.

The launch took place at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in the country's northwest.

Some photos show the latest launch was conducted from a new launch pad built along the coast.