North-South tension escalates: Korea's vital links at risk
The armed forces of South Korea reported on Monday that they have observed North Korea's preparations to destroy road connections between the countries on the Korean Peninsula. The Gyeongui and Donghae routes may be blown up. The regime of Kim Jong Un announced such actions a few days ago.
14 October 2024 09:03
The intention to "completely block" road and rail communication with South Korea and to begin creating "strong defence mechanisms" was announced by Pyongyang last Wednesday. Everything indicates that these threats may be fulfilled.
According to PAP, on Monday, South Korean soldiers reported enemy actions. Seoul's forces stated that they are observing various activities in North Korea, including the installation of protections on roads, which are "presumably" preparations for destroying the Gyeongui and Donghae routes.
Kim Jong Un's regime has a plan. They want to cut off road connections with the neighbouring country
North and South Korea are connected by a network of roads and railways along the Gyeongui line, which links the southern city of Paju with the northern city of Kaesong, and the Donghae line, which runs along the eastern coast. Destroying these connections will prevent communication and physically separate the hostile nations.
"There is a possibility that (explosions in North Korea) could happen today," said Colonel Lee Sung-jun, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), during a routine press conference on Monday at 09:00 GMT.
Lee also added that JCS analysis suggests that North Korea may plan further missile tests and "minor provocations", details of which were not disclosed. "In case of provocations from North Korea, we will react decisively, exercising our right to self-defence," he stated.
Kim Jong Un mentioned the necessity of "completely cutting off" the northern side of the transcontinental railway tracks in January. At the end of last year, the dictator ordered the acceleration of war preparations. As the dictator mentioned, it may begin "at any moment."
In early June, the government in Seoul suspended a 2018 military agreement with Pyongyang. This is a reaction to numerous provocations from the North, including sending over 5,000 balloons with debris and a series of missile tests.
