North Korean

2024 - 10 - 9

North Korea's Road to Isolation: Are They Building a Moon Base Instead?

Inter-Korean relations - Kim Jong Un - Military strategy - North Korea - South Korea - Ukraine conflict - Zainichi Koreans

North Korea's cutting ties with South Korea while sending troops to Ukraine! What does that even mean?

In a surprising move that adds a new chapter to the tales of inter-Korean relations, North Korea has announced it will permanently sever all road and rail connections with South Korea. Announcing this via its military, the North stated it would not only block these routes but also pursue a “fortification” of its own borders, making it clear that the days of peaceful reunification have been thrown out the window. This drastic step follows months of military exercises and infrastructure changes at the highly militarized border, which has created a wasteland in a climate of growing hostility.

Interestingly, this military decision is also perceived as a defensive measure against foreign “hostile forces.” Could this be just a way for Kim Jong Un to flex his muscles and demonstrate power to his people? Some analysts suggest that North Korea is creating a narrative of external threats to solidify its regime, akin to the classic playbook of dictators worldwide. Furthermore, this announcement coincides with troubling reports from South Korea regarding North Korean military personnel likely being deployed alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. How's that for plot twists?

While North Korea presses on with its isolationist policies, the South Korean government remains vigilant, expressing deep concern over the implications of further military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow. South Korean defense sources have hinted at an alarming trend: an increase in North Korean troop deployments abroad, possibly exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine. With tensions on the rise, this situation remains precarious, and international eyes are glued to the unfolding events on the Korean Peninsula.

In a light-hearted spin, it’s fun to imagine Kim Jong Un finally getting that moon base he’s always talked about; after all, if you're cutting ties with your neighbors, what's a few thousand kilometers more? But on a more serious note, did you know that North Korea is one of the most encrypted nations in the world? Most of its people earn a meager income, largely restricted to a state-controlled economy. Meanwhile, this decision could foster further economic troubles for North Korea, highlighting why their actions bear serious scrutiny not just for regional stability but also for global security.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

North Korea to 'permanently' shut border with South Korea (ABC News)

North Korea's military said it will "completely cut off roads and railways" linked to South Korea and "fortify the relevant areas of our side with strong ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

North Korea says it will cut off all roads to the South (BBC News)

Its military said the North would “permanently shut off and block the southern border” and fortify areas on its side. The Korean People's Army (KPA) described ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

North Korea to cut off road and rail links to South Korea (CNN)

The announcement, which comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scrapped a longstanding policy of seeking peaceful reunification with South Korea earlier ...

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Image courtesy of "NK News"

North Korea says it will destroy all roads and railways linking it to ... (NK News)

The North Korean military announced plans to destroy all road and railway links to South Korea on Wednesday, seeking to sever inter-Korean connections as a ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

North Korea Army says to completely cut road and rail links to South ... (Reuters)

North Korea's Army said it will completely cut off roads and railways connected to South Korea starting from Wednesday, and fortify the areas on its side of ...

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Image courtesy of "The Japan Times"

North Korean army says it will cut road and rail links to South Korea (The Japan Times)

The move follows the installation of land mines and barriers as well as creating a wasteland along the heavily militarized border for months this year.

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

North Korean soldiers are likely dying for Putin in Ukraine, Seoul says (POLITICO.eu)

More North Korean troops could be deployed in the war,” warns South Korean defense minister.

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Image courtesy of "The North West Star"

North Korea vows to block border with South Korea (The North West Star)

The North's military called its steps a "self-defensive measure for inhibiting war and defending the security" of North Korea. "The hostile forces are getting ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

North Korean military officers 'highly likely' killed in Ukraine, Seoul ... (FRANCE 24)

Ukrainian media reports that six North Korean military officers were killed alongside Russian troops in a missile attack near occupied Donetsk are "highly ...

EXPLAINED: Are North Korean troops going to help Russia in ... (Radio Free Asia)

North Koraen soldiers in a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 27, 2023. KCNA via ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

North Korean army to completely sever road and rail lines to South ... (NBC News)

North Korea's Army said it will completely cut off roads and railways connected to South Korea starting from Wednesday, and fortify the areas on its side of ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Standard"

North Korea fortifies border, cuts final ties with South amid tensions (Business Standard)

North Korea fortifies border: According to South Korean military officials, North Korea has laid land mines, constructed anti-tank traps, and dismantled ...

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Image courtesy of "The Diplomat"

The Plight of the 'Zainichi' Koreans (The Diplomat)

In December 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un outright rejected the idea of reunification with South Korea. Kim argued that North-South relations were ...

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Image courtesy of "GZERO Media"

North Korean troops in Ukraine? Really? (GZERO Media)

North Korean troops have long demonstrated excellent goose-stepping skills at large-scale parades, but none have ever experienced combat.

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