North Korea To Block Off Border With South Korea

The country's army said it will take the "substantial military step" of completely cutting off roads and rail links to the South

North Korea announced plans to permanently block its border with South Korea.

The country’s army said it will take the “substantial military step” of completely cutting off roads and rail links to the South by building front-line defense structures.

The North’s military referred to the action as a “self-defensive measure for inhibiting war and defending the security” of North Korea.

The North said, “The hostile forces are getting ever more reckless in their confrontational hysteria.”

The military also cited what it called various war exercises in South Korea.

The actions could be a pressure tactic. However, it’s unclear how they will affect ties with South Korea. Cross-border travel and exchanges have been halted for years.