North Korea's moves were likely a pressure tactic and it's unclear how they will affect ties with South Korea since cross-border travel and exchanges have been halted for years.

North Korea said it would permanently block its southern border and build front-line defense structures there. It also vowed to "completely cut off roads and railways" leading to South Korea and "fortify the relevant areas of our side with strong defense structures,

North Korea said on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) it will permanently block its border with South Korea and boost its frontline defence posture to cope with “confrontational hysteria" by South Korean and U.