On October 16, North Korean state media reported a significant escalation in tensions on the Korean Peninsula, following claims that over 1.4 million youth and students enlisted in the military within just two days. This surge in enlistment coincided with North Korea’s destruction of certain roads and railways connecting it to South Korea, prompting a retaliatory response from South Korean forces.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea confirmed the bombing of portions of the rail network leading to South Korea, stating that the constitution has designated South Korea as a “hostile nation.” The military actions are said to have been carried out under the orders of the Workers’ Party’s central military commission, which directed the complete closure of segments in Kangwon Province, as well as sections in the Kaesong area.
The reports indicate that the recent actions were regarded as unavoidable and lawful measures necessary to respond to what is perceived as severe political and military provocations from South Korea. It’s noted that this marks the first time North Korean media have explicitly mentioned constitutional changes that classify South Korea as a hostile nation. The aim appears to be the permanent fortification of the now-closed southern border, which North Korea has declared will be reinforced in stages.
In a further assertion of its military commitment, North Korea declared that over 1.4 million young people had signed up to serve in the military, including students and youth group officials. They expressed a desire to participate in what they described as a “sacred war” to “eliminate the enemy using revolutionary weapons.”
In response to the escalating situation, both the U.S. and Russia have indicated their involvement. The White House has urged restraint from North Korea, while the Kremlin warned that Russia would support North Korea if conflict were to arise on the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, a coalition of 11 nations, including the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, has formed a new monitoring group to closely oversee sanctions against North Korea.
North Korea’s media also echoed similar sentiments from the previous year, suggesting widespread voluntary enlistment to combat perceived threats from the United States. Last week, North Korea accused South Korean drones of intruding into its airspace and distributing leaflets, which led to orders for border troops to be ready for armed response. They claimed that if war were to break out, South Korea would be eradicated, stating, “If it (South Korea) seeks conflict, we are willing to end its existence.”
In light of these developments, South Korean military forces issued warning shots toward North Korea. On October 16, South Korean officials held diplomatic talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Japan’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Masahisa Sugiura, to establish an action plan in response to the since-dissolved U.N. Security Council sanctions monitoring mechanism for North Korea. Consequently, a Multilateral Sanction Monitoring Team (MSMT) has been proposed to monitor potential violations of U.N. resolutions regarding illegal weapon transfers.
Additionally, reports from the Moscow Times indicated that Russia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korea in June, which guarantees military assistance in the event of aggression against either country. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that should conflict break out on the Korean Peninsula, Russia’s support for North Korea would be “quite clear.”
