North Korea Moves to Permanently Shut Off Southern Border

North Korea recently announced its intention to permanently shut off and block the southern border with South Korea. The move includes completely cutting off roads and railways leading to South Korea and fortifying the relevant areas with strong defense structures. This decision was described as a self-defensive measure in response to South Korean military exercises and the deployment of US strategic nuclear assets.

South Korea’s Response

South Korea’s military condemned North Korea’s actions as desperate and proclaimed that it will not tolerate any attempt to change the status quo. Seoul has been on high alert, with reports of North Korea reinforcing its side of the border since April, including adding anti-tank barriers and demolishing sections of a railway connecting the two Koreas.

Inter-Korean Relations

Inter-Korean relations are currently at a low point, with analysts speculating that North Korea’s latest move could be a precursor to more serious actions, such as amending the constitution to declare a new maritime border. Kim Jong Un’s recent order to rewrite the constitution to remove the goal of peaceful Korean unification has raised concerns and marks a departure from previous policies.