North Korea cuts several lines of communication with South Korea

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), South Korean side. DMZ, one of the last vestiges of the Cold War, separates North Korea from South Korea. Keoprasith Souvannavong / RFI

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North Korea has announced that it will cut several lines of communication with its South Korean neighbor as of today, an announcement by the regime's official news agency. For several days, Pyongyang has been increasing verbal attacks against Seoul. The North accuses the South of letting human rights activists send leaflets over the border criticizing the regime and the ruling Kim family. But this could be an excuse to increase tensions.

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With our correspondent in Seoul, Frédéric Ojardias

North Korea has announced that it will cut the two military lines of communication crossing the border , the telephone of the inter-Korean liaison office built in 2018, as well as the red telephone between the South Korean president Moon Jae-in and the northern leader Kim Jong -a.

"  Treacherous and devious behavior  "

An announcement made by the voice of several caciques of the regime, including Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un. The North calls the South "  enemy  " and accuses it of "  treacherous and devious behavior  ". Pyongyang criticizes the sending of anti-Kim leaflets over the border, but these are not new, and the real reason behind this anger is probably elsewhere.

Close ranks

Is North Korea seeking to establish the legitimacy of Kim Jong-un's sister , presented by some as a possible successor? According to other analysts, worsening tensions helps to close ranks and create a diversion in the event of an internal crisis in the North, such as economic difficulties, or an epidemic of Covid-19. So many hypotheses which remain for the moment in the state of speculation.

Read also: North Korea-China: Kim Jong-un's “militant greetings” to Xi Jinping

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  • North Korea
  • South Korea
  • Kim Jong-un
  • Human rights

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