North Korea Preparing to Set Off Explosions Along Roads Linked to South Korea, Seoul Says

A North Korean flag flutters in North Korea's Gijungdong village as seen from a South Korean observation post inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea, on March 3, 2023. Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool Photo via AP

South Korea’s military reported on Oct. 14 that it had detected activities by the North Korean army in what it stated are preparations for possible explosions along the roads that connect to South Korea.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) made the remarks after North Korea announced on Oct. 9 that it would take steps to “completely separate” the territories of the two neighboring countries.

JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun told reporters on Oct. 14 that North Korea had been installing covers on roads connecting the two Koreas in preparations for possible explosions.

Lee said North Korea could potentially carry out the explosions as early as Oct. 14 or undertake other provocative actions that may escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

“If North Korea undertakes a provocation, we will strongly retaliate in terms of our right to self-defense,” Lee said during a press briefing.

The activities were detected on roads along the Gyeongui line, a road and railway line that links South Korea’s western border city of Paju to North Korea’s Kaesong, and the Donghae line along the eastern coast of the inter-Korean border.

Pyongyang’s military stated on Oct. 9 that it would cut off roads and railways connecting the two countries and fortify the areas with “defense structures,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea accused the South Korean military of sending drones to drop anti-Kim regime propaganda leaflets over the capital last week. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun initially denied involvement in the leaflet drop, but the JCS later stated that it could not confirm whether the claims were true or whether it was done by South Korean freedom activists.

According to NK News, the leaflets contained information for North Koreans showing them how much rice and corn they can purchase compared to the average South Korean on a 3,500,000 KRW ($2,603) monthly salary, and also the lifestyle of Kim Jong Un, who was pictured in the leaflet wearing a $12,000 luxury IWC Portofino Automatic watch.

The North’s foreign ministry called the drone drop a “dangerous provocation” that could lead to “an armed conflict that could even escalate into war.”

The KCNA reported on Oct. 13 that the North Korean Defense Ministry had issued a preliminary operation order to the artillery units and other army units along the border to “get fully ready to open fire.”

The report states that army units were urged to prepare for any developments at the border, including the potential for immediate strikes on enemy targets, because of potential drone infiltration from South Korea.

Pyongyang had previously retaliated against South Korean activists who flew balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border by sending thousands of balloons carrying trash and feces toward South Korea. Seoul responded by resuming loudspeaker broadcasts near the border areas.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising in recent years because of North Korea’s repeated missile tests, which involve various missile systems, including long-range missiles capable of striking the United States and its Asian allies.

In June, North Korea and Russia signed a “strategic partnership” pact allowing each party to provide military assistance if the other is attacked. The United States, South Korea, and Japan have expressed “grave concern” about the pact.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Update: This article has been updated with details about the nature of the drone drop from South Korea.