North Korean authorities may soon blow up the cross-border roads linking South Korea after it accused the South of flying drones over its capital city, Pyongyang. This is according to South Korea’s military spokesman, who said the plans may be executed as early as Monday, 14th October 2024.
According to the South Korean military spokesperson, troops suspected to be part of North Korean military troops were seen recently working on the roads on its side of the border near the west and east coasts. The spokesperson alleged that there might be plans to hasten the execution of the plan.
Recall that recently, the North Korean Army threatened to cut off roads completely and railways linking South Korea. Sources report that the authorities are seeking to fortify the areas on its side of the border against possible threats from its rival, South Korea, as it accused them of sending drones to scatter a “huge number” of anti-North leaflets over Pyongyang.
While the North Korean Army has described the action as a political and military provocation that could lead to armed conflict, hence its approach to curtailing the vice even before it escalates, it has accused the South Korean Army of being responsible for flying the drone.
According to North Korea’s defence ministry, the drones seen flying over Pyongyang some three months ago required a special launcher or runway, and it was impossible for a civilian group to launch them. This was in response to speculations that some civilians may have been responsible for flying the drones.
It further warned South Korea against flying drones over Pyongyang, stating that such action might result in what it described as a “horrible disaster” as it has already put eight fully armed artillery units at the border “on standby to open fire.”
Meanwhile, South Korea’s military has refused to answer questions regarding its involvement with the drones, insisting that a bid to address what the North has alleged might only trigger an action that would be likely be justified by what is being said even if they might not be the actual case.
According to Lee Kyoung-haing, an expert in military drone operations at Jungwon University, South Korea had sought to improve on its anti-drone defences since 2022, when five North Korean drones entered its airspace and flew over the capital Seoul for several hours.
