North Korea has announced that it will sever all road and railway access to South Korea starting Wednesday, as part of its effort to “completely separate” the two countries. The Korean People’s Army (KPA) said the North would permanently block the southern border and strengthen defenses along its side.
This move comes as a response to joint military exercises conducted by South Korea and the presence of U.S. nuclear assets in the region, which Pyongyang has described as a threat. The KPA labeled the decision a “self-defensive measure to prevent war,” further intensifying hostilities between the two nations.
“The current military situation on the Korean peninsula demands more resolute and stronger actions from the DPRK to safeguard national security,” said a statement from the KPA, published through state media KCNA.
While largely symbolic—since the roads and railways between the two Koreas are rarely used—the decision marks a new phase of isolation for North Korea. Pyongyang has been gradually dismantling these access points over the past year as part of a broader strategy to redefine its relationship with South Korea.
Tensions have escalated in recent years with provocative actions such as missile tests and the sending of trash-laden balloons over the border into South Korea. Earlier in 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that reunification with South Korea was no longer a national goal, fueling fears of renewed conflict on the Korean peninsula.
Kim had called for changes to the country’s constitution, suggesting the removal of phrases related to reunification. While the expected constitutional amendments were not publicized following this week’s session of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), analysts believe that Pyongyang may be awaiting the results of the upcoming U.S. presidential election before making further changes.