North Korea Dynamites Roads Connecting to its Southern Neighbor
Demolition of roads connecting to South Korea, October 15, 2024. X/ @leatherlane2005
October 15, 2024 Hour: 10:34 am
Authorities justified this decision as a measure of self-defense to prevent war and safeguard national security.
On Tuesday, North Korea destroyed several sections of roads connecting its territory with South Korea, after Pyongyang announced it would sever all transportation links to the neighboring country.
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“North Korea detonated parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads at the Military Demarcation Line around noon,” the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Last week, North Korean authorities announced they would cut the roads and railways connecting with the southern neighbor and fortify the border areas.
Pyongyang’s cutting of transportation routes comes at a time of rising tensions on the peninsula, due to North Korean accusations that the South had sent propaganda-laden drones into its territory and threats to respond with artillery fire if similar incidents occur.
On October 9, North Korea announced it was preparing to completely cut off connected roads and railways and to build “strong defensive structures” in the areas near the border, in response to military exercises by the southern nation and the United States.
North Korean authorities justified this decision as a permanent blockade against the South, “the main hostile state and enemy,” and as a measure of “self-defense to prevent war and safeguard national security.”
This announcement coincided with the conclusion of a parliamentary session during which North Korea amended its Constitution, reportedly including a presidential directive to declare the South as the principal national enemy.
The Gyeongui road and railway corridor connects the South Korean border city of Paju, in the west, with the North Korean city of Kaesong. The Donghae corridor crosses the demarcation between the North and South along the east coast.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
