North Korea severs power lines to Kaesong, escalating tensions
The military in Seoul reported that North Korea had cut the high-voltage lines installed by South Korea that supplied power to the inactive Kaesong industrial zone on the northern side of the border. This marks another sign of escalating tension in inter-Korean relations.
The army stated that since Sunday, North Korean soldiers have been removing some of the power lines. According to Seoul's assessment, the next step will be dismantling the power poles themselves. South Korea installed 48 such structures – including 15 on the northern side – to supply electricity to the now inactive Kaesong industrial park.
Power supply was halted in June 2020 when Pyongyang blew up the inter-Korean liaison office in this complex.
The Kaesong industrial zone is located on the northern side of the Korean border. It was opened in 2004 amid warming relations. The combination of South Korean capital and technology with inexpensive labour in North Korea was a prime example of peaceful cooperation and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
However, in 2016, Seoul decided to suspend the operation of the plants and withdraw South Korean workers from there. This was a reaction to Pyongyang's provocative actions, including a ballistic missile test.
Kim called for "physical separation from the hostile state"
In January this year, North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, called in a speech before the National Assembly for a "physical separation" from South Korea. He also ordered the constitutional recognition of South Korea as a "hostile state" and the removal of certain terms from the constitution, such as "peaceful reunification."
Following these directives, the "glaring" Reunification Monument in Pyongyang and three agencies related to promoting inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation were dismantled. In October, parts of roads connecting both Korean countries were demolished.
Experts currently assess that relations between the Koreas are at their worst in decades.
