The General Staff of the North Korean People’s Army stated that the measure is a response to the acute security situation on the Korean Peninsula, deriving from “the wrath displayed by hostile forces, which openly expose their attempts to use armed forces encroaching upon Pyongyang’s sovereignty.”

Accordingly, the DPRK will start severing ground connections to the South as of October 9 and fortify the relevant areas on their side with strong defense structures, stated the report published by KCNA.

It said the decision was based on events such as frequent South Korean military maneuvers near the border and visits by US strategic nuclear assets to the region.

It termed the move as a self-defensive measure to prevent war and defending North Korea’s security.

During a visit earlier this week to the National Defense University that bears his name, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un affirmed that his country will not attack South Korea but if attacked, it will use nuclear weapons if necessary.

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