On October 15, North Korea unexpectedly detonated sections of the railway connecting the North and South, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This explosive action has raised concerns among South Korean citizens, as depicted in various media reports.
Experts suggest that North Korea has a history of using the destruction of its own infrastructure to send political messages. This incident appears to signal that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has no intention of engaging in negotiations with the South.
The North Korean military reportedly destroyed parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae railway lines around noon on the 15th. The South Korean military stated that the blast site was merely 10 meters from the military demarcation line, and the lack of prior notification constitutes a clear violation of the armistice agreement, prompting them to respond with gunfire.
In a statement, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification condemned the actions, highlighting that the Gyeongui and Donghae railways, along with connecting roads, were significant cooperative projects established after the inter-Korean summit in 2018. At North Korea’s request, the South Korean government provided materials and equipment valued at approximately $133 million through a loan arrangement.
The Ministry emphasized that North Korea still has an obligation to repay the loan and should bear full responsibility for the recent destruction.
According to reports from Central News Agency, experts noted that while these communication routes had long been inactive, the demolition conveys a clear message: Kim Jong-un is not interested in pursuing dialogues with South Korea.
Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP, “This reflects the real military measures related to the system of the two hostile nations that North Korea often discusses.”
He suggested that North Korea might be looking to establish more physical barriers along the border, making the demolition an act of “preparation.”
In 2020, North Korea destroyed the inter-Korean liaison office, which had been built by South Korea and was left vacant at the time, in retaliation against South Korean defector groups that were distributing anti-North Korean leaflets. Following this, South Korea filed a lawsuit against North Korea last year, seeking approximately 45 billion won in compensation for the damage.
During the initial stages of nuclear diplomacy between North Korea and the United States in 2018, Pyongyang demolished its nuclear test facility tunnels. Similarly, in 2008, after entering negotiations with Washington and other nations to exchange nuclear disarmament for assistance, North Korea destroyed the cooling tower of its main nuclear facility.
Experts believe that Kim Jong-un’s strategy may be aimed at diminishing South Korea’s influence in the regional nuclear standoff while seeking direct engagement with the United States. He may also wish to reduce South Korea’s cultural impact and solidify his family’s rule over North Korea.
Tensions have surged between the two Koreas after North Korea accused South Korea of sending drones into Pyongyang last week. North Korea claimed these drones disseminated a “large number” of anti-North Korean pamphlets, with Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister, warning Seoul of “terrible consequences” should such actions continue.
When questioned about whether the drones reportedly flying into Pyongyang were operated by the South Korean military or private citizens, a spokesperson for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff declined to answer.
