In a significant escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has completely blocked all road and railway connections to South Korea. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the DPRK’s military carried out controlled blasts on October 15 to destroy 60-meter-long sections of roads and railways in Kamho-ri, Kosong County, Kangwon Province, and Tongnae-ri, Panmun District, Kaesong Municipality.
A spokesperson for the DPRK Ministry of National Defence stated, “Under an order of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army on October 15 took a measure to physically cut off the DPRK’s roads and railways which lead to the Republic of Korea (ROK) through the east and west sections of the southern border of the DPRK as part of the phased complete separation of its territory, where its sovereignty is exercised, from the ROK’s territory.”
The DPRK’s actions are described as an “inevitable and legitimate measure” necessitated by the DPRK Constitution, which defines the ROK as a hostile state. The spokesperson added that the decision was prompted by “serious security circumstances running to the unpredictable brink of war owing to the grave political and military provocations of the hostile forces.”
The Ministry of Land and Environment Protection confirmed that the blasting operations were conducted without any negative impact on the surrounding ecological environment. “The routes linking the DPRK to the ROK have been completely separated,” the ministry affirmed.
This move follows an earlier announcement by the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army on October 9, indicating the DPRK’s intent to “completely cut off roads and railways connecting South Korea amid the precarious situation on the Korean Peninsula.”
The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the DPRK will continue to implement measures to “permanently fortify the closed southern border.”
The severing of transportation links marks a further deterioration in inter-Korean relations, raising concerns among international observers about the escalating tensions and their potential impact on regional stability.
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DPRK confirms complete block of road, railway connections to S. Korea
cgtn.com
