North Korea Seals Border with South Korea Permanently

North Korea's military announced on Wednesday that it is taking steps to "permanently close and seal off the southern border" with Seoul and has notified the US military to avoid any accidental confrontations. In a statement, Pyongyang indicated it would "block roads and railways" that could have potentially allowed travel between the two Koreas in the future.

While North Korea characterized this action as a "significant military measure," an analyst pointed out that it is likely part of a long-standing trend. Relations between the two Koreas are currently at one of their lowest levels in years, with North Korea shutting down agencies focused on reunification and labeling South Korea as its "main adversary."

The country with nuclear weapons was anticipated to abandon a significant inter-Korean agreement established in 1991 during an important parliamentary session that concluded on Tuesday.

This move was part of leader Kim Jong Un's efforts to formally designate the South as an adversary. However, in a report released on Wednesday that announced the appointment of a new defense chief, state media did not indicate that the agreement had been terminated.

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