North Korea raises military threat, South Korea does not raise alarm for now, Panmunjom residents plan to evacuate_1

As tensions escalate on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea has erected barriers at the Unification Bridge military checkpoint in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, effectively restricting access. According to reports, North Korea has demanded that its frontline troops be placed on full combat readiness, citing intrusions by South Korean drones into Pyongyang. However, South Korean defense officials stated that they have not yet received any orders to upgrade the “Jindo Dog Alert,” which is a military warning system designed to respond to North Korean actions, categorized into three levels, with level one being the highest.

On October 14, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a prominent figure in the Workers’ Party of Korea, criticized South Korea through the state-run Korean Central News Agency. She accused the South Korean military of orchestrating drone infiltrations into Pyongyang and infringing upon North Korea’s sovereignty as a nuclear-armed state. She characterized South Korea as merely a proxy of the United States and asserted that the U.S. should be held accountable as the “master” behind such actions.

North Korea’s accusations began on October 11 when they claimed that South Korean drones had violated its airspace. Following this, Kim Yo-jong issued a series of statements over three days that were both threatening and accusatory towards South Korea.

On the same day, South Korean media outlets, including KBS, reported that the Joint Chiefs of Staff had directed military units to increase surveillance of North Korean activities and maintain a state of heightened alert. The Joint Chiefs confirmed that they are closely monitoring North Korean military movements and that South Korean forces are prepared for potential provocations, although they refrained from detailing specific actions.

In light of the rising tensions, the mayor of Paju, the city adjacent to the heavily fortified border, expressed concern for local residents, some of whom are considering evacuation due to the precarious situation.

A spokesperson for South Korea’s unification ministry remarked on October 14 that North Korea is attempting to consolidate its weak regime by exaggerating external threats and crises. He pointed to past incidents, such as the 2015 placement of landmines in the demilitarized zone that injured South Korean soldiers, and the 2020 demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, as indicative of North Korea’s intention to escalate military threats today as well.

The spokesperson further indicated that North Korea may be seeking to provoke discord and unrest within South Korean society but emphasized that such strategies would not achieve their goals through intimidation and provocation.

Regarding North Korea’s claims that South Korean drones distributed anti-North leaflets over Pyongyang on the 3rd, 9th, and 10th, the spokesperson argued that there was no need to respond to each accusation individually, noting that the South Korean government has not acknowledged any recent drone incursions.

When questioned about whether the South Korean government plans to request private organizations to halt the practice of sending leaflets into North Korea via balloons, the spokesperson reiterated that the government’s stance aligns with the Constitutional Court’s rulings, which uphold freedom of expression for citizens.

Additionally, a South Korean military source revealed that surveillance equipment has detected North Korean forces allegedly preparing to blow up roads near the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line, critical pathways connecting the two countries.

On October 9, North Korea informed the United Nations Command that it intends to mobilize a large number of personnel and equipment for operations, including demolition activities. The UN Command was established during the Korean War to ensure a ceasefire is maintained on the peninsula.