South Korea said on Monday it had detected signs that North Korea was preparing to destroy northern sections of inter-Korean roads that are no longer in use, as the rivals become embroiled in escalating tensions over North Korean claims that South Korea launched drones over its territory.
Destroying the roads would be in line with leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to sever ties with South Korea, officially establish it as his country’s main enemy and abandon North Korea’s decades-long goal of seeking a peaceful unification of the two Koreas.
In a highly sarcastic speech, Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, described the South Korean military establishment as “scum” and “Mongols tamed by the Yankees.” She said on Monday that the “master of those dogs,” in an apparent reference to the United States, should also be held accountable for the alleged drone flights. South Korea and the United States had no immediate responses.
Earlier Monday, the South Korean military said it was monitoring various activities in North Korea that appeared to be preparations for road demolition, such as installing barriers.
“They have installed roadblocks and are working behind those roadblocks, preparing to blow up the roads,” Lee Sung-joon, spokesman for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a news conference. He added that demolitions may take place on Monday.
Lee said the South Korean military believes North Korea may carry out other provocations such as a space rocket launch, which the United Nations considers a convincing test of long-range missile technology.
It is not clear how much of the roads North Korea will destroy.
During the previous era of inter-Korean detente in the 2000s, the two Koreas reconnected two road routes and two railway tracks across their heavily fortified border. But their operations were later suspended one after another due to the dispute between the two Koreas over North Korea’s nuclear program and other issues.
North Korea said last week that it would permanently close its border with South Korea and build defensive structures on the front lines to deal with “confrontational hysteria” by South Korean and US forces. South Korean officials said North Korea has already been adding anti-tank barriers and laying mines along the border since earlier this year. They said North Korea also planted mines, removed lights along its sections of inter-Korean roads and cut ties on the northern side of the railway.
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North Korea accused South Korea of launching drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang three times this month and threatened to respond with force if that happened again. South Korea refused to confirm whether it sent drones, but warned that it would severely punish North Korea if the safety of its citizens was threatened.
The North Korean Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that the military had ordered artillery and other army units near the border with South Korea to “fully prepare to open fire.” The ministry said that the entire territory of South Korea “may turn into piles of ash” after the powerful attack launched by North Korea.
North Korea often launches warlike rhetoric when hostilities with its rivals increase. Experts say North Korea is unlikely to launch large-scale preemptive attacks, as its military is superior to the combined US and South Korean forces.
North Korea’s accusations about the drone flights are likely aimed at creating tensions to strengthen its internal unity while stirring up instability in South Korea, Ko Byungsam, spokesman for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, said Monday. Ko said North Korea cannot get what it wants from South Korea with threats and provocations.
Some observers say anti-Pyongyang activists in South Korea may have sent drones this month, but North Korea says the South Korean government cannot escape responsibility.
In 2022, South Korea sent cross-border reconnaissance drones into North Korea after it accused North Korea of launching drones into South Korea for the first time in five years.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest levels in years, with North Korea continuing to conduct a series of provocative missile tests, and South Korea and the United States expanding their military exercises. Observers say that North Korea may conduct major weapons tests before the US presidential elections scheduled for next month to increase its influence in future diplomacy with the Americans.
In January, Kim Jong Un ordered a review of North Korea’s constitution to abolish the goal of peaceful unification of the two Koreas, officially designate South Korea as the country’s “principal persistent enemy,” and define North Korea’s sovereign territorial sphere.
Kim’s order stunned many North Korea watchers because it was seen as a break from his predecessors’ long-held dreams of achieving a peacefully unified Korea on North Korea’s terms. Experts say Kim likely aims to reduce South Korea’s voice in the regional nuclear standoff and seek direct engagement with the United States. They say Kim also likely hopes to reduce South Korea’s cultural influence and strengthen his rule at home.
& Edition 2024 The Canadian Press
