North Korea to completely cut road, rail links to South Korea
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North Korea had already been installing landmines and barriers along the border between both countries.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - North Korea’s army said it will completely cut off roads and railways connected to South Korea starting from Oct 9, and fortify the areas on its side of the border, reported state media KCNA.
The announcement heralds a further escalation in activity close to the demarcation line separating the two Koreas, which had been rare in recent years until 2024.
North Korea had already been installing landmines and barriers
The General Staff of the Korean People’s Army said in a statement carried by KCNA that the move was in response to war exercises that have been held in South Korea, which it called “the primary hostile state and invariable principal enemy”, as well as frequent visits by US strategic nuclear assets in the region.
South Korea’s Defence Ministry said in a statement that the United Nations Command (UNC) has been notified of the matter, but declined to give specifics.
South Korea is in close communication and cooperation with UNC concerning North Korea’s announcement, the ministry added.
The US-led UNC is a multinational military force and oversees affairs in the Demilitarised Zone between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war. REUTERS
