North Korea will sever road and railway access to South Korea from Wednesday in a bid to “completely separate” the two countries. Its military said the North would “permanently shut off and block the southern border” and fortify areas on its side. The Korean People’s Army (KPA) described the move as “a self-defensive measure for inhibiting war”, claiming it was in response to war exercises in South Korea and the frequent presence of American nuclear assets in the region. It marks an escalation of hostility at a time when tensions between the Koreas are at their highest point in years.
“The acute military situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula requires the armed forces of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] to take a more resolute and stronger measure in order to more creditably defend national security,” said a report published by state media outlet KCNA, quoting KPA. The declaration is largely symbolic as roads and railways leading from North Korea to South Korea are rarely used, having been dismantled over time by North Korean authorities. This move comes amid broader efforts by Pyongyang to change its relationship with South Korea, following a series of inflammatory incidents that have strained relations between both countries, including missile tests and trash balloons being sent over North Korea’s southern border.
In January, North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un announced that he was no longer striving towards reunification with South Korea, raising concerns about potential conflict on the Korean peninsula. However, during this week’s session of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), no changes were made regarding constitutional amendments related to unification or border policies as previously anticipated.
One analyst suggested that Pyongyang may be waiting for the outcome of US elections before making any concrete decisions regarding constitutional revisions. It remains unclear whether North Korea’s decision to cut off all roads and railways linking it with South Korea was influenced by discussions during this SPA session.