On Oct 14., South Korea’s military reported indications that North Korea might be preparing to dismantle sections of roads and railways along the Gyeongui and Donghae lines—key connections between the two Koreas. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated, “We have observed North Korea erecting barricades along the Gyeongui and Donghae routes, with activities suggesting possible plans to destroy these lines.”
This development is thought to be linked to North Korea’s allegations that South Korea deployed unmanned drones over Pyongyang, reportedly spotted on Oct 3, 9, and 10. In response, on the 9th, the General Staff Department of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) announced the complete closure and fortification of all inter-Korean routes. North Korea had already begun closing land routes last year and dismantled parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae rail lines between May and July.
North Korea has directly accused the South Korean military of orchestrating the alleged drone incursions, intensifying its hostile rhetoric and issuing military threats. Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, published three statements denouncing South Korea, including one from Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the ruling party. In a statement issued on the evening of Oct 13., a spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of National Defense warned, “If drones appear again, we will assume they are from South Korea and will treat this as a declaration of war, responding at our discretion.” Kim Yo-jong, in a separate statement, cautioned, “Reckless bravado will only hasten South Korea’s demise,” adding that “The South Korean military’s thugs should refrain from reckless actions.”
In addition, North Korea has ordered its artillery and firepower units stationed near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to remain on full combat alert. The regime has made clear its intent to shoot down any drones crossing the DMZ. However, military experts warn that if North Korean artillery were to strike South Korean territory, retaliatory fire from the South could quickly escalate into localized conflict. Analysts believe the KPA’s General Staff Department has likely issued operational orders in preparation for this scenario.
Nam Sung-wook, founding Director of the Convergence Institute for National Unification at Korea University, observed, “North Korea’s reaction reflects its discomfort over the breach of Pyongyang’s airspace.” He added, “North Korea may resort to non-combat provocations, such as drone activity or traditional maritime skirmishes along the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea.” With inter-Korean communication channels severed, experts have emphasized the importance of implementing measures to prevent North Korea from misinterpreting the situation.
