North Korea, “the South is a hostile state”. The Constitution changes, escalation continues –

North Korea announced that its constitution now designates the South as a “hostile state”, confirming the implementation of a constitutional amendment promised earlier this year by leader Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang this week blew up roads and railways leading to the South, “an inevitable and legitimate step taken in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which clearly defines the Republic of Korea as a hostile state », reported the North’s official news agency KCNA, which specified that transport links «were completely blocked due to the explosions».

Pyongyang’s military vowed last week to permanently seal the southern border after spending months laying mines and building anti-tank barriers in the wake of leader Kim Jong Un declaring the South his country’s “main enemy.” The North also accused Seoul of using drones to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets over the capital Pyongyang, with Kim calling a security meeting to direct an “immediate military action” plan in response, state media reported on Tuesday. Referring to the destruction of roads and railways, KCNA said that “this is an inevitable and legitimate measure” that follows the North Korean constitution “which clearly defines South Korea as a hostile state.” The deeply symbolic transportation infrastructure connecting the two countries has long been closed, but destroying it sends a clear message that Kim is not ready to negotiate with the South, experts analysis. KCNA said the explosion targeted 60-meter sections of roads and railways in the eastern and western sections of the border with South Korea.