PHONG YANG, North Korea: North Korea’s military announced on Wednesday that it will permanently close and fortify its southern border with South Korea.
The move involves cutting off all roads and railways between the two Koreas, which had been envisioned as possible pathways for future reunification. This decision reflects ongoing tensions, as Pyongyang continues to define Seoul as its “principal enemy.”
The North Korean army framed the border closure as a defensive measure against South Korean military exercises and U.S. nuclear assets in the region. They communicated their plans to U.S. forces to avoid accidental clashes near the heavily militarized border. This step appears to be part of a broader strategy to reinforce North Korea’s isolation from the South, continuing actions such as laying landmines and destroying parts of a railway that once linked the two nations.
Despite speculation that North Korea might nullify a historic 1991 inter-Korean agreement at a recent parliamentary meeting, no such announcement was made. Analysts believe that Pyongyang may be waiting for the results of the upcoming U.S. elections before further escalating its stance.
In addition, North Korea appointed a new defense minister, No Kwang Chol, amidst reports that North Korean soldiers might be fighting in Ukraine alongside Russian forces, as confirmed by South Korean intelligence.
These developments underscore the deepening rift between the two Koreas, with increasing military posturing and a focus on internal fortification by the North.
