Seoul, Oct 11 (FN Bureau) The South Korean Unification Ministry on Thursday strongly condemned North Korea’s decision to cut all roads and rail links with the border state, calling it an “anti-unification” act marking a new chapter in the already strained inter-Korean relations. “We strongly condemn North Korea’s measure as an anti-unification and anti-national act that spurns aspiration for unification by our people and residents in North Korea,” the ministry was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. On Wednesday, the North Korean General Staff said it intended to block and shut off all highways and railroads connecting its territory with South Korea, and to fortify its defensive structures in the area. Since late last year, North Korea has taken several measures to close inter-Korean routes, including the installation of landmines and removal of street lights along key transportation lines.
Chairman of South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-soo suggested that North Korea’s actions may also be aimed at preventing its citizens from leaving the country.” [We] think it could be to block the outflow of people inside. Such measures will only isolate itself and is an irrational act,” the chairman was quoted as saying by Yonhap.According to the 1991 agreement, inter-Korean relations are defined as a “special relationship” provisionally established in the course of the reunification process, rather than as state-to-state interactions. During a parliamentary meeting in December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described inter-Korean relations as those between “two states hostile to each other,” dismissing any notion of reconciliation or unification with the South.