South Korea’s military reports firing warning shots near its heavily guarded border with North following Pyongyang's demolition of road sections linking the two nations, as tensions rise since Kim Jong-un identified the South as his "principal enemy."
Around midday, portions north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) dividing Korea were destroyed; Seoul’s military responded with counterfire in southern areas, per a statement from their Joint Chiefs.
North's recent actions include laying new mines along border lines and erecting anti-tank barriers plus deploying missiles armed potentially by nuclear devices since the leader denounced South as its primary adversary earlier this year.
In reaction to military drills in Korea, North Kim announced plans for a permanent closure of their southern frontier following visits from US assets and similar activities; Seoul warned Pyongyang was preparing road demolitions with corresponding countermeasures expected soon afterward.
North's accusations against South include deployments by unmanned systems to deliver anti-government literature in the capital, prompting Kim’s security meeting where "immediate military action" seemed imminent according state media reports on Tuesday.
Though road and railway links between Korea have been closed for longtime now, their destruction conveys a clear message that North refuses to negotiate with South; experts suggest this could be preparatory work towards erecting more physical barriers along the border according Yang Moo-jin from University of Northern Studies in Seoul.
The initial denial by Seoul's military over sending drones north has led them not comment further, despite North Kim’s direct accusation against such drone deployments as a declaration of war; past activist groups have used balloons and small stealthy unmanned craft to send propaganda materials into the country.
During his meeting on Monday where officials were briefed about enemy provocations, it was communicated Kim’s firm political and military posture following such aggressive actions by South Korea as conveyed through KCNA reports; Pyongyang had "expressed a tough stand."
In recent years till date, only five incidents involving North Korean drones infiltrating the border have been reported since Kim’s rise to power with latest one occurring this July when fighter jets failed their counterattack attempt. Seoul has planned for deployment of drone-disabling lasers as a part of its response, enhancing capability against such provocations – dubbed “StarWars Project”.
Current relations between the two Koreas are at an all time low with North's military stating they would maintain closed southern border and construct solid defense structures following Kim’s latest announcement; their strong reaction to possible drone incursions is being closely watched.
Cheong Seong-chang from Sejong Institute notes that further provocations along the northern borders can be expected in case of repeated unmanned craft intrusions, emphasizing North Korea's likely course under Kim’s leadership during this tense period between both nations.
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