North Korea announced it will sever road and railway access to South Korea starting Wednesday, aiming to “completely separate” the two nations. The Korean People’s Army (KPA) declared that the North would “permanently shut off and block the southern border” while fortifying its side as part of a “self-defensive measure to inhibit war.” This move comes in response to ongoing military exercises in South Korea and the frequent deployment of American nuclear assets in the region.

Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest in years, with the KPA citing the “acute military situation” on the peninsula as justification for its actions, aimed at strengthening national security. The statement, published by state media KCNA, underscores North Korea’s growing hostility.

While largely symbolic, as road and rail links between the two countries have been barely used and gradually dismantled over the past year, this step fits within a broader shift in Pyongyang’s stance toward the South. Recent provocations, including missile tests and the sending of trash balloons over the border, have further strained relations.

Kim Jong Un has signaled a departure from the goal of reunification with South Korea, stating in early 2023 that North Korea should revise its constitution to remove references to “peaceful reunification.” Although many expected the recent Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) session to formalize this stance, no such constitutional changes were made public.

Some analysts believe North Korea may be waiting for the outcome of the U.S. elections before making any final decisions on its policies, suggesting that Pyongyang could align its strategy based on the direction of the new U.S. administration. It’s unclear whether the decision to sever all road and rail connections with the South was directly influenced by discussions during the SPA session.