North Korea blows up parts of inter-Korean road on its side of border, Seoul says

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalate as North Korea blows up inter-Korean roads and rail lines, prompting South Korea to fire warning shots. This comes after Pyongyang's pledge to fortify its border and accusations of drone incursions.

North Korea detonated sections of roads and railways along its border with South Korea, escalating tensions on the peninsula, according to South Korea's military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that explosions occurred around midday on the northern side of the border, although no damage was reported in South Korea. In response, South Korea's military fired warning shots across the military demarcation line.

These explosions follow North Korea's recent announcement to sever inter-Korean transport links entirely and reinforce defenses along the border. The North has been seen installing landmines and barriers and conducting further preparations with heavy machinery, prompting South Korea to enhance its surveillance and readiness.

The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. The destroyed infrastructure represents significant investments from South Korea, with around 180 billion won ($132 million) spent to restore these links after previous rapprochements.

Tensions have intensified as North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones over its capital, Pyongyang, which allegedly dropped anti-North leaflets. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently convened a meeting to address what he termed serious provocations against the sovereignty of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

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