Seoul: North Korea has deliberately destroyed sections of roads and railways that connect with South Korea, an aggressive action that drew sharp criticism from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the North Korean government carried out explosions on Tuesday that damaged parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads and railways. This incident occurred shortly after threats from North Korea to “completely separate” its territory from South Korea, escalating tensions between the two nations.
The PPP, during a Supreme Council meeting, strongly condemned these actions. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon highlighted the significant financial loss involved, stating, “These connecting roads were built with 180 billion won (US$132 million) worth of taxpayers’ precious money.” He criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s regime, suggesting that such hostile behavior would only solidify negative perceptions among South Koreans about the North.
Han emphasized the necessity of maintain
ing a robust defense posture against North Korea. “Dialogue is necessary, but dialogue must be premised on strength, readiness, and training,” he asserted, signaling the party’s support for the government’s firm stance on defense and diplomatic strategies concerning North Korea.
This latest development marks a significant setback in inter-Korean relations and underscores the volatile nature of diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula.