South Korea announces 11 dangerous areas on inter-Korean border

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kim Sung Joon said that the 11 danger zones are located in the cities of Paju, Gimpo and Yeoncheon. The designation of “danger zones” is a measure to protect the lives and safety of people in border areas amid deteriorating inter-Korean relations.

On the afternoon of October 15, North Korea detonated mines and destroyed several sections of the Gyeongui Road and Donghae Road north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which had a railway line that had been blocked in August last year. With this action, the roads and railways between South Korea and North Korea were completely cut off. North Korea plans to build defense structures on the severed inter-Korean road.

The 499-km Gyeongui Railway, which starts at Seoul Station, passes through Goyang and Paju, and crosses the border to Kaesong, Pyongyang, and Sinuiju in North Korea. It was opened in 1906. Meanwhile, the Donghae Line, which opened in 1937, runs 180 km from Yangyang to Wonsan, passing through the scenic Mount Geumgang in North Korea. The connection of rail and road on these lines is seen as a symbol of reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas.

In another development on the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning called on all parties to avoid escalating tensions in the region.

Mao Ning affirmed that China stands firm on maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promoting the search for a political solution, and hopes that all parties will work together toward the above-mentioned goal.