South Korea Declares Military Readiness Amid Rising Tensions with North Korea
South Korea’s military has declared it is “fully ready” to respond to escalating tensions with North Korea, which has reportedly deployed troops to the border and is preparing to demolish roads connecting the two nations.
The situation has worsened recently, as North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones over its capital to drop propaganda leaflets, claiming these actions constitute a “declaration of war” if repeated.
Meanwhile, Lee Sung-jun, the South Korean military spokesman stated that the military is on high alert due to North Korea’s provocative orders for artillery units to open fire in response to any escalation as reports indicate that North Korea is installing screens along roads in preparation for potential explosions, with Lee warning that such actions could happen as soon as Monday.
In a counterstatement, South Korea neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the drone flights, labeling North Korea’s claims as “shameless.” Furthermore, he accused North Korea of inciting tensions by launching what he referred to as “vulgar and base trash balloons” into South Korean territory.
While Seoul has denied orchestrating the drone flights, there is speculation that activist groups in the South may be responsible for sending propaganda materials northward.
North Korea has escalated its rhetoric, with Kim Jong Un’s sister threatening severe consequences unless the drone flights cease. The North’s military has declared that preparations to sever road and rail links with South Korea are underway, effectively restoring heavy weapons and guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone. This tension follows a period of rapprochement between the two Koreas, marked by a 2018 summit that aimed to foster peace and cooperation.
