North Korea Building Wall Near Border with South Korea, Satellite Images Show
New satellite images analysed by BBC Verify have revealed that North Korea is constructing sections of what appears to be a wall near its border with South Korea. The images also show land inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) being cleared, potentially violating the long-standing truce between the two countries.
The DMZ, a buffer zone between North and South Korea, is split in two with each side controlled by the respective nations. The recent construction activity, described as “unusual” by experts, comes at a time of rising tensions between the two countries.
Experts speculate that North Korea may be looking to strengthen its military presence and fortifications along the border with these new structures. The exact date of construction is unclear, but the satellite images show at least three sections where barriers have been erected near the DMZ.
Dr. Uk Yang, a military and defense expert, noted that the shape of the walls suggests they are intended to divide an area rather than just serve as obstacles for tanks. Additionally, there is evidence of land clearance within the North Korean side of the DMZ, including the creation of a new access road.
The construction of structures in the DMZ may be a violation of the armistice agreement reached at the end of the Korean War in 1953. While reunification has long been a goal of North Korean leaders, recent actions by Kim Jong Un have signaled a shift away from that ambition.
Experts believe that North Korea’s recent actions, including the building of border barriers and removal of symbols representing unity with South Korea, indicate a lack of interest in reunification. With warming relations with Russia and a refusal to engage in talks with the United States and South Korea, experts warn that inter-Korean provocations may increase in the coming year.
