North Korea’s announcement to sever inter-Korean land routes and embark on fortification efforts has been interpreted as a move to prevent internal personnel from escaping, according to Kim Myung-su, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in South Korea.
On October 9, North Korea declared its intention to cut off roads and railways connecting the North and South and to erect barriers along these routes.
In response, Chairman Kim testified at the National Defense Committee’s audit on October 10, suggesting that the Kim Jong-un regime is “acting out of fear and seeking to isolate itself.” He added that the primary purpose of these actions appears to be blocking external infiltration as well as preventing internal personnel from escaping.
He further noted that South Korean intelligence had been monitoring North Korea’s moves to sever inter-Korean land routes and viewed Pyongyang’s official announcement as an attempt to legitimize these efforts.
Since late last year, North Korea has been laying mines around roadways, removing streetlights, dismantling railroads, and tearing down adjacent structures as part of efforts to block inter-Korean land routes.
Starting in April, North Korea has also been installing suspected anti-tank barriers, laying additional mines, erecting barbed wire, and engaging in deforestation work on the northern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Commenting on the timing of North Korea’s announcement, Chairman Kim said, “The primary intention seems to be securing legitimacy for their actions. While the barriers may prevent external access, they are also isolating themselves.”
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
