North Korea escalates tensions with South Korea by destroying inter-Korean roads

North Korea has demolished parts of inter-Korean roads on Tuesday, according to a statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The roads, once a symbol of cooperation between the two nations, had fallen out of use but remained as a vestige of past efforts toward reconciliation.

The destruction followed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sharp condemnation of alleged South Korean drone flights over Pyongyang, labeling them as “the enemy’s serious provocation.” During a meeting with military officials, Kim outlined plans for “immediate military action” and emphasized the operation of his “war deterrent” to defend the country’s sovereignty.

Though South Korea has neither confirmed nor denied sending drones, it warned that any threat to the safety of its citizens would result in severe repercussions. The destruction of the roads marks another step in Kim’s strategy to sever ties with South Korea and solidify the North’s hostile stance.

The inter-Korean roads, built during a period of diplomatic thaw in the 2000s, had long been out of service as tensions between the two nations over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions escalated. Now, with North Korea’s recent vow to permanently block its border and fortify defenses, the symbolic destruction underscores a grim outlook for future relations between the two Koreas.