North Korea to block border with South Korea, build new defense structures amid rising tensions

North Korea declared on Wednesday that it will permanently block its border with South Korea and build new frontline defense structures to counter "confrontational hysteria" from South Korean and U.S. forces. This announcement, reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), did not include the expected constitutional revision to officially designate South Korea as North Korea's principal enemy and establish new national borders.

While this could be seen as a pressure tactic, it remains unclear how the move will impact relations with South Korea, as cross-border exchanges have already been halted for years. North Korea's military announced it would "completely cut off roads and railways" connecting the two nations and fortify the areas with strong defense structures, framing these actions as necessary to prevent war and ensure the security of North Korea.

The military statement criticized the "reckless" military exercises conducted by South Korea and the U.S., accusing them of escalating tensions with harsh rhetoric and the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in the region.

In response, South Korea's military stated that it would not tolerate any attempts by North Korea to alter the status quo and warned that any provocations would be "overwhelmingly punished." The South Korean military also emphasized that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs continue to pose a serious threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean officials previously reported that North Korea has been reinforcing its border security since April, adding anti-tank barriers and planting mines to prevent defections. Reports also indicate that North Korea has been dismantling cross-border rail links and removing nearby lamps.

The KCNA reported that the Supreme People's Assembly met earlier this week to discuss amendments to laws concerning work and election ages, but there was no confirmation of any progress on Kim Jong Un’s January order to rewrite the constitution. The proposed changes would officially remove the goal of peaceful reunification with the South and designate South Korea as North Korea’s "invariable principal enemy."

Analysts remain divided over whether North Korea has delayed or quietly enacted the constitutional changes due to the issue’s sensitivity. Kim Jong Un’s push to remove the unification goal marks a departure from his predecessors’ long-standing aspirations for a unified Korea on the North's terms. Experts suggest that Kim’s motives may include diminishing South Korea’s influence in regional matters, seeking direct negotiations with the U.S., and reinforcing his control over the North by curbing South Korean cultural influence.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have reached their highest level in years, with North Korea conducting frequent weapons tests and South Korea and the U.S. expanding joint military drills. On Tuesday, North Korea tested a long-range artillery system, which observers believe could directly threaten the South Korean capital, Seoul, located just an hour from the border.