Seoul reports that North Korea is preparing to dismantle sections of inter-Korean roads in the northern regions.

 South Korea announced on Monday that it has detected signs of North Korea preparing to demolish parts of unused inter-Korean roads in the northern region, amidst heightened tensions between the two nations. The tensions escalated after North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones over its territory.

The destruction of these roads aligns with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's efforts to sever ties with South Korea, formally establishing the South as the North’s primary enemy and abandoning the decades-long goal of peaceful Korean unification.

In a scathing statement, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, labeled the South Korean military as “dregs” and “mongrels tamed by Yankees.” She further suggested that the U.S. is responsible for the alleged drone flights and should be held accountable. Neither South Korea nor the U.S. provided an immediate response. Earlier on Monday, South Korea’s military reported observing signs that North Korea is preparing to demolish the roads, including the installation of screens for the operation.

“They have put up screens and are working behind them, preparing to destroy the roads,” said Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. He noted that the demolition could begin as early as Monday and suggested that North Korea might also engage in other provocations, such as launching a space rocket—an action the U.N. considers a cover for testing long-range missile technology.

It remains unclear how much of the roads will be destroyed. 

During a period of warmer inter-Korean relations in the 2000s, the two Koreas reconnected roads and railways across their heavily fortified border. However, these operations were gradually suspended as tensions over North Korea’s nuclear program and other issues escalated. Last week, North Korea announced it would permanently close its border with South Korea and construct new front-line defense structures to counter what it called "confrontational hysteria" from South Korea and U.S. forces. South Korean officials confirmed that North Korea has been adding anti-tank barriers and laying mines along the border since early 2024, and they have also observed the removal of lamps and railway ties on the northern side of the shared infrastructure.

North Korea has accused South Korea of launching drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang three times in the past month, threatening a military response if such activities continue. While South Korea has neither confirmed nor denied the drone flights, it has warned of severe consequences if North Korea threatens the safety of its citizens.

On Sunday, North Korea’s Defense Ministry stated that artillery and military units near the border had been ordered to prepare to "open fire," warning that the entire South Korean territory could be reduced to "ashes" following a North Korean strike. Though North Korea frequently issues such aggressive rhetoric during periods of tension, experts believe a full-scale attack is unlikely given the military disparity between North Korea and the combined U.S.-South Korean forces.

Koo Byoungsam, spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, suggested that North Korea’s accusations regarding the drone flights might be an attempt to provoke tension, strengthen internal unity, and destabilize South Korea. He emphasized that threats and provocations would not achieve North Korea’s objectives.

Some observers speculate that anti-North Korean activists in South Korea could be responsible for the drone activity, though North Korea holds the South Korean government accountable regardless. In 2022, South Korea flew surveillance drones into North Korea after accusing the North of sending drones into South Korea for the first time in five years.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with North Korea continuing missile tests and South Korea and the U.S. expanding joint military exercises. Analysts predict that North Korea may conduct significant weapons tests ahead of the U.S. presidential election next month to boost its diplomatic leverage with Washington. In January, Kim Jong Un ordered a revision of North Korea's constitution to remove the goal of peaceful unification and officially designate South Korea as its "permanent principal enemy," further escalating tensions.

This move shocked many observers, as it marked a clear departure from the policies of Kim's predecessors, who had long sought a unified Korea, albeit on North Korea's terms. Experts believe Kim's shift in focus is an attempt to reduce South Korea's role in regional nuclear negotiations and to assert his rule domestically while diminishing South Korea’s cultural influence.