Satellite images show the aftermath of North Korea's bombing of the inter-Korean highway

Satellite images show damage to inter-Korean roads and railways after North Korean mine explosions (Photo: Planet).

Satellite images taken by Planet Lab on the morning of October 17 showed damage to parallel sections of North Korean roads and railways starting from the edge of the military demarcation line (MDL) inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating it from South Korea.

Accordingly, a 60m long section of railway and road and part of the forest were destroyed.

Screenshots from a video provided by the South Korean military also showed that before the explosion, many North Korean heavy machinery appeared in the area, and by noon on October 15, the North Korean military had detonated mines to destroy the inter-Korean road.

Barriers erected earlier this year on this stretch of road were also removed, apparently to allow machinery in and out.

North Korea may repair these roads and railways in the future when relations with South Korea improve, but for now, Pyongyang's destruction of the inter-Korean road is seen as sending a message of severing ties with South Korea and strengthening the southern border.

Since May, North Korea appears to have begun building new defense lines near the military demarcation line (MDL).

Roadblock aimed at ending relations with South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People's Army (Photo: Reuters).

KCNA reported that on October 17, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the headquarters of the Second Corps of the Korean People's Army. There, he emphasized: "Our military should once again bear in mind the clear reality that South Korea is a foreign country and a clear hostile country."

Earlier, KCNA reported that the North Korean parliament amended the constitution, identifying South Korea as a "hostile country", in line with leader Kim Jong-un's statement earlier this year that he no longer considered inter-Korean unification a national goal.

Kim Jong-un made it clear yesterday that the road closures and the blowing up of inter-Korean roads and railways earlier this week not only meant a physical closure but also the end of relations with South Korea, completely erasing the idea of unification.

He also warned that if South Korea violates sovereignty, North Korea is ready to respond unconditionally.

The North Korean leader stressed that the changing nature of the US-South Korea alliance and their increasingly complex joint military exercises show the importance of Pyongyang further strengthening its nuclear deterrence.

These are Kim Jong-un's first comments after North Korea blew up inter-Korean roads and railways on October 15.

According to KCNA, this is "part of the phased process of complete separation" between North and South Korea. A North Korean defense ministry official said: "Further measures will be taken to turn the blocked southern border into an eternal fortress."

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/anh-ve-tinh-cho-thay-he-qua-vu-trieu-tien-pha-no-duong-lien-trieu-20241018075310123.htm