North Korea has demolished sections of unused roads connecting it to South Korea, according to South Korea’s military. The blasts occurred around midday (03:00 GMT) in the northern areas of the roads near the military demarcation line, as reported by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday. In response, South Korean forces fired warning shots south of the line.
Seoul had issued warnings on Monday that Pyongyang was preparing to destroy these roads. The heightened tensions follow North Korea’s accusations that South Korea sent drones over its capital, Pyongyang, carrying propaganda leaflets. Footage showed North Korean soldiers allegedly preparing for explosions, which resulted in large clouds of smoke and dust from the Gyeongui road. Additional clips displayed excavators at work following the blasts and military personnel nearby. A section of the Donghae road, on the east coast, was also reported to have been destroyed.
Although these roads have long been inactive, analysts suggest their demolition indicates a shift in North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s stance, signaling an unwillingness to negotiate with South Korea. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, described the action as a “practical military measure” reflective of the hostile relations frequently cited by North Korea.
The demolitions occurred shortly after Kim convened a meeting with top military and security officials to address the drone issue. During this meeting, he labeled the drone flights a “serious provocation” and outlined unspecified tasks concerning “immediate military action” and enhancing North Korea’s “war deterrent” to safeguard its sovereignty.
North Korea had previously put its frontline artillery and other military units on standby to retaliate if South Korean drones were spotted again. South Korea has not confirmed any drone activity but warned of severe consequences should its citizens be threatened.
The destruction of the roads aligns with Kim Jong Un’s broader strategy to sever ties with South Korea and solidify its status as a principal adversary, moving away from the decades-long goal of peaceful reunification. This escalation follows North Korea’s demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office in 2020, marking the end of a brief period of diplomatic thawing. Last November, Pyongyang announced plans to bolster its military presence along the border and declared it would no longer adhere to a 2018 joint military agreement after Seoul suspended parts of it in response to North Korean missile tests. Reports indicate that North Korea has also begun laying mines and installing anti-tank barriers along the border earlier this year.
