SEOUL, Oct 16 – North Korea blew up parts of inter-Korean roads on its side of the border on Tuesday, according to South Korea’s military, destroying what was once a symbol of the two Koreas’ cooperation, Kyodo news agency reported.
“North Korean forces conducted explosions, presumably to block the inter-Korean roads” in Gyeongui and Donghae around noon, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Later in the day, Seoul’s public broadcaster, KBS, reported, citing a senior government official, that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the site to inspect the preparations for blowing up the roads.
Kim arrived at the location in a Lexus, a luxury brand of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp., KBS said. U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from importing luxury goods as part of sanctions imposed in response to its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.
The South Korean military responded by firing warning shots south of the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas, the JCS said, adding that it has strengthened surveillance and readiness in coordination with the United States.
The JCS said North Korea also deployed heavy equipment on its side, apparently to clear debris after the explosions.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry expressed deep regret over the explosions, accusing North Korea of repeating “regressive acts.”
North Korea said Wednesday last week it would cut road and railway links with South Korea and fortify areas on its side of the border amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
The road links were part of projects promoting inter-Korean friendship and cooperation, which began following the first-ever North-South summit in 2000.
