North Korea vows to block border with South Korea and boost front-line defense postures

North Korea said on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) it will permanently block its border with South Korea and boost its frontline defence posture to cope with “confrontational hysteria" by South Korean and U.S. forces, while not announcing an expected constitutional revision to formally designate South Korea its principal enemy and codify new national borders.

While the moves were likely a pressure tactic, it's unclear how they will affect ties with South Korea since cross-border travel and exchanges have been halted for years.

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 defence structures,” according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA.)