North Korea cuts road and rail access to South Korea, fortifies border areas, and raises concerns over rising tensions. Pyongyang cites US military exercises as a reason.
North Korea has announced that it will cut off all road and rail connections to South Korea. The country’s army said they will also strengthen defense structures on their side of the border.
This decision comes after rising tensions between the two Koreas and continued military drills in South Korea, supported by the United States. The announcement was made through North Korea’s state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), on Wednesday.
The Korean People’s Army declared that it will "completely cut off roads and railways" linked to South Korea. They also mentioned plans to build stronger defense systems along the border. According to KCNA, these actions are a response to South Korea’s military drills and the frequent visits of U.S. military assets in the region.
Although travel between the two countries has been halted for years, this move adds a symbolic layer to the already tense relationship. North and South Korea have not engaged in direct exchanges or cross-border travel recently, but cutting off access is a clear sign of worsening relations.
Reaction from South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Defence quickly responded to North Korea’s announcement. They informed the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees military activities in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas.
Although the two nations signed an armistice in 1953 to stop the fighting in the Korean War, they never signed a formal peace treaty. This means that technically, they are still at war.
South Korea has observed North Korea's actions along the border in recent months. The North has been placing landmines, building barriers, and creating wasteland along the heavily armed border.
These activities, combined with the latest announcement, show North Korea’s increased efforts to secure its borders. The Korean People’s Army described these steps as necessary to defend the country and prevent any conflict.
The North Korean army accused "hostile forces" of acting recklessly in their confrontations. They sent a message to the U.S. military to explain these defensive actions. The goal was to avoid any miscommunication or accidental clashes that could arise from these heightened defenses.
Escalating Tensions on the Korean Peninsula
Tensions between North and South Korea are at their highest point in years. North Korea has conducted several weapons tests this year, including testing a long-range artillery system just a day before this announcement.
The weapons tests have contributed to rising fears of conflict returning to the Korean Peninsula.
At the same time, North Korea remains silent on an expected change in its constitution. The country is considering officially designating South Korea as an enemy state.
The change would remove any goal of peaceful reunification between the two Koreas. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un first mentioned this change in January. The Supreme People’s Assembly was expected to make the decision during a meeting this week.
However, despite the expected constitutional changes, North Korean state media has not confirmed any amendments. Instead, KCNA only mentioned that a new defense minister, No Kwang Chol, had been appointed. He had previously accompanied Kim Jong Un to talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 and 2019.
Uncertainty over North Korea’s Next Steps
While some experts believe North Korea may have delayed the constitutional changes, others think the country may have already made the changes without publicly announcing them.
The decision is likely sensitive, as it would officially end a key agreement signed between the two Koreas in 1991. That agreement aimed to ease tensions and improve relations between the North and the South.
As the situation develops, there is growing concern over the stability of the Korean Peninsula. The latest moves by North Korea, combined with ongoing military activities, are raising fears of potential clashes between the two nations.
