Tensions rise in Seoul after Kim Jong-Un’s latest move

Kim Jong-un’s regime, in response to Seoul’s latest military manoeuvres, has cut off roads and railways connected to South Korea. In their place, they say, “strong defence structures” will be built.

The announcement was made by the General Staff of the North Korean People’s Army in an article published by the North Korean news agency KCNA. Pyongyang justified this decision as a permanent blockade of its border and a reinforcement of its position. At the same time, they indicated that the measure is “self-defensive” in order to “stop the war and maintain security”.

US-bought helicopters “reckless provocation” to North Korea

Last August, North Korea called the U.S. decision to purchase 36 AH-64 helicopters for over $3 billion, for supply to South Korea, “reckless provocation”.

“We reject the arms buildup by the U.S. and its forces, which pose a grave danger to the regional security environment and increase military tension,” they said in late August.

At the same time, the regime alluded to the deployment of U.S. strategic assets on the peninsula. “The fury of the hostile forces is becoming more and more reckless,” they declared. The move by the North Korean regime comes after Seoul came out against the launching of thousands of ‘trash balloons’ from North Korea. The balloons were sent over with bags of trash hanging from them: according to Reuters they were filled with fertiliser, batteries, cigarette butts, clothes, soil, plastic bottles, toilet paper, wastepaper, and vinyl; once being released using a mechanical device, they hit cars, farms, neighbourhoods, restaurants, and schools in South Korea.

For North Korea, this also coincides with the last parliamentary session where a possible amendment to its Constitution was scheduled to be discussed. However, the KCNA agency did not clarify whether the elimination of references to the redrawing of the border and reunification with the South was ultimately dealt with.

It was last January when Kim asked to revise the North Korean constitution with the purpose of declaring South Korea his “main enemy”. Statements that drew a response from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol: “If North Korea provokes us, we will punish them much more harshly,” he said at the time.