North Korea confirms that roads and railways to the ‘enemy’ South have been blown up

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) – North Korea has confirmed it has blown up parts of roads and railways leading to South Korea and called it a “hostile state”, North Korean state media reported on Wednesday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed a report from the South Korean military, saying transportation links have been “completely blocked by explosions.”

Pyongyang’s military vowed last week to permanently seal its southern border after months of laying mines and building anti-tank barriers after leader Kim Jong Un declared the South his country’s “main enemy.”

The North also accused Seoul of using drones to distribute anti-regime propaganda leaflets across the capital Pyongyang, with Kim convening a security meeting to draw up a plan of “immediate military action” in response, state media reported on Tuesday.

Referring to the destruction of the roads and railways, KCNA said “this is an unavoidable and legitimate measure” that follows the North Korean Constitution “which clearly defines the ROK as a hostile state,” referring to the South’s official name, the Republic of Korea. .

North Korea recently amended its constitution, marking the first mention of the charter formally declaring South Korea a hostile state, according to Yonhap news agency.

The highly symbolic transportation infrastructure linking the two countries has long been closed, but its destruction sends a clear message that Kim is unwilling to negotiate with the South, experts say.

KCNA said the explosion targeted 60-meter roads and railways in the eastern and western parts of the border with South Korea.

The agency said this measure was taken “due to the serious security conditions moving towards the unpredictable brink of war as a result of the serious political and military provocations of the hostile forces.”

On Tuesday, the South Korean military released video footage showing North Korean soldiers in military uniforms ahead of a massive explosion, releasing thick, billowing smoke as parts of what is known as Gyeongui Road blew up.

More footage, apparently from after the explosions, showed excavators digging and soldiers working when large red trucks arrived.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry slammed the North for what it called an “extremely abnormal” provocation, adding that Seoul had borne millions in costs to build the infrastructure.

“North Korea continues to have repayment obligations related to this financing,” it added.

Seoul’s military initially denied that any drones had been sent to the north, but subsequently declined to comment, even though Pyongyang directly blamed them and warned that it would consider it a “declaration of war” if another drone were sent detected.

Later Tuesday, Kim’s powerful sister released a statement, saying Pyongyang has gathered “clear evidence” that the South Korean military was behind the drones that reached Pyongyang.