On October 9, 2024, North Korea announced a complete shutdown of roads and railways connecting it to South Korea, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This action is part of a broader strategy to fortify its defenses along the border and is described as a permanent blockade against what it perceives as a hostile South.
North Korea justified the decision as a necessary self-defense measure to protect its security and to deter potential conflict, citing recent South Korean military exercises and the presence of U.S. nuclear assets in the region as provocations.
The announcement coincided with the conclusion of a special parliamentary session in North Korea, where amendments to the constitution were reportedly made. While KCNA did not specify the changes, it is believed that references to reunification with the South may have been removed, further entrenching the division of the Korean Peninsula as directed by leader Kim Jong-un.
Experts warn that this move could exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region, as North Korea appears to be formalizing the separation between the two states and unilaterally redefining its borders.
Source: dw.com, Date: 2024-10-09