North Korea, by announcing that new units have been moved to artillery positions at the border with South Korea, has once again heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, stated in a statement on Wednesday that this action was taken following recent warnings from Pyongyang regarding the consideration of deploying new weapons.
Strengthening Borders and Military Readiness
Kim Yo Jong said: "Our military leadership emphasized that we must inform these wicked individuals about the deployment of new artillery units at their positions." She also added that Kim Jong Un has "issued an order to strengthen the border against an enemy state to make it permanently impregnable." This statement was made a day after Seoul warned of a decisive response to further provocations from North Korea.
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Tensions between the two Koreas have increased since Seoul attributed an explosion in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) last month to mines planted by North Korea, which Pyongyang denied. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Marshal Pak Jong Chon visited "key positions" at the border and told the troops that "it is time to organize sufficient fire support to intimidate the enemy."
Military Movements and Reactions
He also stated that if enemy forces threaten the safety of North Korean personnel, the border forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) must take "very professional, specialized, and comprehensive military actions." These remarks come as the South Korean military accused North Korea on Tuesday of attempting to shift blame for the tensions. The South Korean military confirmed that it has used loudspeakers and warning shots as "legitimate defensive measures" to prevent North Korean forces from crossing the military demarcation line (MDL) and to return forces that have crossed it.
North Korea has also recently conducted a series of weapon tests, including a precision-guided torpedo system and a medium-range hypersonic missile. Both types of weapons, according to North Korean officials, utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology. These tests reflect Pyongyang's efforts to bolster its military capabilities and respond to external threats.
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