North Korea Buries Landmines in Kaesong Industrial Park, But No BarriersConstructed: South Korean Military
Seoul, South Korea – The South Korean military hasrevealed that North Korea buried landmines near the Kaesong Industrial Park earlier this year and subsequently covered them with soil, but has not erected any barriers or fences.This information was disclosed by a South Korean military official on September 25th, 2024.
The official stated that the landmines wereplanted on the southern side of the Kaesong Industrial Park, a joint economic venture between North and South Korea that was shut down in 2016. The military believes that the landmines were laid sometime in early 2024.
The revelation comes amidst heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, with North Korea continuing to pursue its nuclear and missile programs. The landmine placement is seen as a further indication of North Korea’s hostile stance towards the South.
While North Korea has not publicly commented on the landmine placement, satellite imagery from Planet Labs, a remote sensing company, has revealed the construction of three to four barriers on the northern side of the Gyeongui Line, a railway connecting Seoul and Pyongyang. Each barrier is reportedly spaced 15 meters apart. However, theSouth Korean military believes these structures are not intended to be isolation barriers.
Instead, the South Korean military believes that the barriers are likely anti-tank obstacles, a common feature along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating North and South Korea.
The landmine placement is the latest in a series of provocative actions by NorthKorea since the end of 2023. Last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that relations between the two Koreas were now hostile, severing all communication channels between the two countries.
In January 2024, North Korea planted landmines on the Gyeongui Lineand the Donghae Line, two major roads connecting the two Koreas. In April, they removed streetlights from both roads. Subsequently, in June and July, they dismantled the railway tracks on the Donghae and Gyeongui Lines, respectively.
These actions have effectively cut off all land-based connections between the twoKoreas, further isolating the peninsula and raising concerns about the potential for conflict.
The South Korean military has condemned North Korea’s actions, calling them provocative and a clear violation of the armistice agreement. The military has also stepped up its surveillance and patrols along the border, and has conducted a series oflive-fire exercises in response to North Korea’s actions.
The situation on the Korean peninsula remains tense, with little sign of a diplomatic breakthrough. The landmine placement is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by North Korea’s aggressive posture and the potential for conflict to erupt at any moment.
Background:
- The Kaesong Industrial Park was a joint economic venture between North and South Korea, established in 2004.
- The park was shut down in 2016 following a series of political tensions between the two Koreas.
- North Korea has been increasingly hostile towards South Koreasince the end of 2023, with Kim Jong-un declaring relations to be hostile.
- North Korea has engaged in a series of provocative actions, including landmine placement, removal of infrastructure, and military exercises.
- The South Korean military has condemned North Korea’s actions and stepped up its surveillanceand patrols along the border.
Analysis:
- The landmine placement is a clear indication of North Korea’s hostile stance towards South Korea.
- The lack of barriers around the landmines suggests that North Korea is not seeking to isolate the Kaesong Industrial Park, but rather to deter any potential incursionsfrom the South.
- The actions taken by North Korea since the end of 2023 have effectively cut off all land-based connections between the two Koreas, further isolating the peninsula.
- The situation on the Korean peninsula remains tense, with little sign of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Conclusion:
The landmine placement by North Korea near the Kaesong Industrial Park is a serious escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula. It is a clear indication of North Korea’s hostile intentions towards South Korea and raises concerns about the potential for conflict. The situation remains precarious, with little sign of a diplomatic solution. The international community must remainvigilant and continue to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs and engage in meaningful dialogue with South Korea.
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