North Korea Blocks Trams on Gyeongui and Donghae Lines with Dirt Piles

North Korea has been found to have piled up dirt piles on both the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line to block trams, following the explosion of part of the road on the northern side of the lines in the middle of last month.

According to the military, the dirt piles appear to have no military utility and seem to be a show to demonstrate that North Korea owns its territory.

Concrete Anti-Tank Holes and Dirt Piles

The northern section of the Donghae Line, revealed 10 days after the explosion on the 15th of last month, features a concrete anti-tank hole, 5m deep and 10m front and back, created to block tanks.

The length of this pit on both sides was found to be 160m. A mound of earth, 5m high and 50m long, was built, and the length across the road on both sides was 160m.

Similar work was carried out on the Gyeongui Line, with a dirt pile height of 11m and a length on both sides of 120m, which was shorter than the East Sea Line.

Military Response

A military official stated that North Korea had continued the work by deploying 300 to 400 people every day until the 1st.

However, the official added that the dirt piles have no military utility to the extent that they can be restored in a short period of time, and that they appear to be a show to demonstrate that the land belongs to North Korea.

The military is closely monitoring the situation, as the North Korean army’s General Staff announced that it would completely cut off roads and railroads connected to South Korea and proceed with construction to fortify them.

This is YTN Kim Moon-kyung, reporting on the latest developments in the region.

Photographer: Woo Young-taek

Photo provided by: Joint Chiefs of Staff

Video editing: Ma Young-hoo