North Korea to turn border with South Korea into 'eternal fortress'
According to Pyongyang's statement, the destruction of roads and railways was a "necessary and legitimate response" to Seoul's provocations.
RT reported on October 17 that North Korea has declared that its border with “totally hostile” South Korea will become an “eternal fortress.” At the same time, Pyongyang confirmed information about the destruction of roads and railways connecting to its neighbor.
Specifically, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on October 17 that earlier this week, Pyongyang forces blew up 60-meter-long sections of roads and railways in the eastern and western regions of the border “as part of the phased complete separation” between North Korea and South Korea.
“Further measures will be taken to turn the sealed southern border into an eternal fortress,” the news agency quoted a North Korean Defense Ministry representative as saying.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said earlier on October 15 that North Korea had blown up parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads north of the Military Demarcation Line between the two countries.
Severing road and rail links is “an inevitable and legitimate measure taken in accordance with the demands of the DPRK Constitution, which clearly defines South Korea as an outright hostile state,” KCNA said.
The move is also a response to “the serious security situation, which is approaching the brink of an unpredictable war due to serious military-political provocations by hostile forces,” the news agency added.
This appears to be the first confirmation that the current North Korean Constitution officially identifies South Korea as a “hostile state.” The development comes after a meeting of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea last week, which is believed to be aimed at amending the country’s constitution.
In a speech to the National Assembly in January, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said unification with South Korea was no longer an option and called for a constitutional amendment that would declare the neighboring country a separate, “hostile” state.
North Korea accused South Korea of using drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang three times this month last week. Seoul neither confirmed nor denied the drone flights, but warned that North Korea would see the “end of its regime” if it retaliated by targeting South Korea.
Pyongyang first mentioned cutting off inter-Korean roads and railways after joint military exercises between the US and South Korea a few weeks ago, which it described as “provocative exercises for invasion.” Since then, the North Korean military has reinforced its side of the border with frontline artillery, ground units, mines and obstacles.
