North Korea blows up roads linking it with South
What's the story
South Korea's military fired warning shots close to its heavily fortified border with North Korea after Pyongyang destroyed parts of the roads linking the two countries. Parts of the road north of the military demarcation line (MDL) were destroyed around midday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said. In retaliation, Seoul's military "conducted counter-fire" in areas south of the MDL.
Escalating tensions
North Korea's border fortification and accusations against Seoul
The destruction of these roads comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared South Korea his country's "principal enemy" earlier this year. Since then, Pyongyang has strengthened its border with new mines, anti-tank barriers, and missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Last week, North Korea announced it would permanently seal its southern border in response to war exercises in South Korea and visits by United States nuclear assets.
Drone dispute
North Korea accuses Seoul of drone propaganda
North Korea has also accused Seoul of using drones to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets on its capital, Pyongyang. In response to this accusation, Kim convened a security meeting to direct a plan of "immediate military action," state media reported on Tuesday. While Seoul's military initially denied sending drones north, it has since declined to comment further on the matter.
Border symbolism
North Korea's border actions signal unwillingness to negotiate
The roads and railways connecting North and South Korea have long been unused, but their destruction is seen as a clear indication that Kim isn't ready to negotiate with the South. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that this could be "preparatory work for its construction of those walls." Pyongyang has warned it would consider it "a declaration of war" if another drone was detected.
Border defenses
Seoul's response to drone infiltrations and border provocations
In 2022, five North Korean drones crossed into the South, prompting the South Korean military to fire warning shots and deploy fighter jets. Following these incidents, Seoul had announced in July that it would deploy drone-melting lasers this year as part of a project dubbed "StarWars Project." The new laser weapons shoot an invisible, silent beam that costs just 2,000 won ($1.45) per use.