SEOUL – North Korea is preparing to destroy roads that cross the heavily fortified border with South Korea, amid escalating tensions following accusations from Pyongyang that South Korea sent drones over the North’s capital, Seoul reported on October 14.
According to a spokesperson from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korean troops were seen working under camouflage near the roads on the western and eastern coasts of the border, with the potential for the roads to be blown up as soon as October 14.
This move follows an announcement by North Korea’s Army last week that it would sever all road and railway connections to South Korea and strengthen fortifications along the border, as reported by state media outlet KCNA.
The tensions have been fueled by North Korea’s claim on October 11 that South Korea deployed drones to drop anti-North Korean leaflets over Pyongyang, an act it described as a severe provocation that could spark military conflict. North Korea warned of a “horrible disaster” should further drone incursions occur, and has reportedly placed eight artillery units on standby at the border.
South Korea has refrained from confirming or denying the drone allegations, stating that addressing North Korea’s claims could be a ploy to justify future provocations. South Korean military spokesperson Lee Sung-jun said the country’s anti-drone defenses have been bolstered since 2022, following an incident where five North Korean drones flew over Seoul for several hours.
Tensions between the two nations, technically still at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, have continued to simmer. North Korea has reintroduced heavy weaponry and restored guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone, nullifying a 2018 military agreement intended to ease tensions.
The current dispute threatens to further destabilize the region, as North Korea appears poised to cut off remaining physical connections with the South, including the roads established during past efforts to foster reconciliation, such as the 2018 summit between the two nations’ leaders.