North Korea moves nuclear weapons to border, threatens war
Kim Jong Un declares South Korea 'principal enemy', cuts communications
North Korea has taken drastic measures against South Korea, including dynamiting roads and railways, moving nuclear-capable weapons to the border, and threatening war over drone incidents. The North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, declared South Korea as the “principal enemy” in January, cutting communications and removing mentions of reconciliation from records. Since then, North Korea has ramped up weapons testing, sent trash-carrying balloons to the South, and threatened further conflict over drone incursions.
Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University, stated that North Korea is following through on its threats, reflecting its determination to eliminate any notion of unification by absorption into the South. Kim Jong Un has recently expressed that his country is no longer interested in “liberating the South.”
This escalation could be linked to recent natural disasters. Devastating floods hit North Korea this summer, destroying homes and farms and displacing many people. Seoul officials suggest that the North might be using this conflict to divert attention from growing domestic discontent. Claims that South Korea flew drones over Pyongyang have dominated North Korea’s state media, possibly to rally citizens weary of Kim’s regime.
🚨Update: Kim orders his border troops to full war status! North Korean Army blows up all roads connecting it to the South Korea! War coming! pic.twitter.com/PUouuMQPw7
— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) October 15, 2024
Seoul’s national security adviser, Shin Won-sik, remarked that North Korea escalates tensions to tighten its grip over unstable internal affairs, maintaining stability by presenting external threats.
North Korea alleges that South Korea’s military has been flying drones over Pyongyang to drop anti-regime propaganda. US-based analyst Ankit Panda notes this development could lead to serious escalation as nuclear. The North, lacking robust air defences, sees these incursions as a significant threat. Cheong Seong-chang from the Sejong Institute suggests that the drones were detected over the headquarters of the Workers’ Party of Korea, shocking the leadership.
Seoul’s military pointed out that North Korea has also sent drones into the South, including into Seoul’s Yongsan district, home to the presidential compound, in 2022.
🇰🇵⚡🇰🇷 North Korea Prepares For War? They Blow Up The Roads And Rails That Used To Connect The North And The South. Kim Jong UN Has Ordered Artillery Units To Move Near The Border With ‘Readiness To Engage’. If The US Starts A War With Iran WW3 Is Guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/kbSJvKA6T5
— 🐾Александра Опалић 🇷🇸❤️🔥🇷🇺 (@aleksandraopal2) October 15, 2024
Russia and North Korea have strengthened ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Seoul claims Kim has been supplying arms to Moscow, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the North of sending troops to Russia. After North Korea blew up inter-Korean infrastructure, China urged all sides to avoid escalation, while Russia blamed Seoul for the drone incidents, calling it a “gross encroachment on North Korean sovereignty.”
North Korea and South Korea have a history of cyclical escalation. In 2008, North Korea blew up a cooling tower at a nuclear complex after being removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. In 2018, it detonated guard posts after signing a military deal with the South. In 2020, it blew up a liaison office out of frustration with South Korean activists sending anti-regime leaflets across the border.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Al Jazeera reports South Korea on high alert as North Korea threatens to blow up border roads amid escalating tensions over drone incursions and propaganda leaflets.(read more)
- Turkish Journal reports that North Korea has destroyed key border roads in response to escalating tensions with South Korea, amid increased military rhetoric and preparations for potential further escalation.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why has North Korea escalated tensions with South Korea recently?
North Korea escalated tensions due to drone incidents and to divert attention from internal issues, including recent natural disasters.
What actions has North Korea taken against South Korea?
North Korea has dynamited roads, moved nuclear-capable weapons to the border, and sent drones and trash-carrying balloons to the South.
How has North Korea described South Korea recently?
Kim Jong Un declared South Korea as the ‘principal enemy’ and removed mentions of reconciliation from records.
What are the possible reasons for North Korea’s current actions?
North Korea might be using the conflict to divert attention from domestic discontent and natural disaster impacts.
How have international relations influenced North Korea’s actions?
Strengthened ties with Russia and allegations of arms supplies and troop deployments have influenced North Korea’s actions.
