Just said it didn’t want to take over South Korea by force. North Korea announced that it would “completely cut off” the connecting railways and roads._1

In a significant move, North Korea’s military has officially declared the complete severance of all road and rail connections with South Korea, effective October 9. This step appears to be part of their strategy to enhance border fortifications amid ongoing military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea.

The Korean Central News Agency reported that the General Staff of the North Korean People’s Army has announced plans to entirely seal the border with South Korea. This includes extensive dismantling of railway links and strengthening defensive structures along the divide.

The North Korean military has voiced concerns, accusing South Korea of conducting frequent aggressive war exercises. They also point to the unpredictable presence of U.S. nuclear strategic assets, viewing it as a constant threat aimed at “eliminating the North Korean regime.” Given the heightened military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea argues that stringent countermeasures are essential for ensuring national security and fully separating from South Korean territory.

Moreover, North Korea took the precautionary step of informing the U.S. military stationed in South Korea about their fortification plans via phone at 9:45 a.m. on October 9. This move was intended to mitigate misunderstandings and prevent any unintentional clashes.

Interestingly, just a day earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un asserted in a speech that the North holds no desire for forced unification with South Korea and has no intention of launching an attack against its southern neighbor.