The North Korean army destroyed sections of roads formerly used for cross-border trade with South Korea with explosives on Tuesday, according to Seoul, a new episode in the rise in tensions between the two enemies. In response, South Korean forces carried out “response fire” on their own territory, he added, without elaborating.
Border already closed
The North Korean army confirmed on October 9 that it would “permanently” cut the highly symbolic road and rail routes connecting the two countries, and build “strong defensive structures” along the border.
South Korea says it is ready to retaliate against an attack from the North.
AFP
In practice, the border between the two Koreas is already completely closed. Since the end of the war in 1953, the two inter-Korean highways and railway lines have only been reopened during brief periods of relaxation. In June 2020, North Korea had already dynamited an Inter-Korean Liaison Office opened in 2018, while relations between Seoul and Pyongyang were experiencing one of these temporary improvements, in Kaesong, a few kilometers north of the border.
“Main enemy”
The destruction of these unused roads is a new illustration of the hardening of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s policy towards South Korea, which he has designated as “the main enemy” of his country.
Mini-drones on military vehicles from the South.
AFP
In January 2024, Kim Jong-un also ordered the dissolution of all institutions responsible for relations with Seoul and Korean reunification projects and threatened to go to war for any violation of his territory “even of 0.001 millimeter.
Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated considerably since conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol came to power in Seoul in 2022, favoring a firm policy towards the North and a strengthening of the military alliance. with the United States and Japan. The three allies regularly conduct joint military exercises that Pyongyang views as dress rehearsals for an invasion of the North.
“Declaration of war”
According to North Korean state media, Kim Jong Un chaired a meeting of the country’s top military officials on Monday and outlined the lines for “immediate military action.” This meeting took place as the North Korean regime complains about several drone flights which, according to it, have dropped propaganda leaflets on the capital filled with “inflammatory rumors and nonsense” and accuses Seoul of being responsible. .
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (seated) inspecting a drone performance test.
AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS
Pyongyang warned on Sunday that one more drone would be considered “a declaration of war”. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun denied any involvement, before a clarification from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff which said it “could not confirm whether the North Korean allegations were true or not.
Local speculation points to militant groups in South Korea routinely sending propaganda and dollars to the North, usually by balloon but sometimes using small, hard-to-detect drones.
Since May, North Korea has sent thousands of balloons loaded with rubbish towards the south, prompting Seoul to resume its propaganda broadcasts by loudspeaker along the border and to suspend an agreement concluded in 2018, with the aim of preventing military clashes. In July, Seoul announced the deployment by the end of the year of laser systems capable of melting drones in mid-flight.
China calls to avoid “further escalation”
“Tensions on the peninsula go against the common interests of all parties, and the top priority is to avoid further escalation,” Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China is North Korea’s main diplomatic, economic and commercial supporter.
(afp)
