International News
North Korea Shuts Border With S’Korea, Declares Neighbour ‘Principal Enemy’
In a significant military move, North Korea announced on Wednesday its decision to “permanently shut off and block the southern border” with South Korea.
The action, which has been communicated to the United States military to avoid accidental clashes, marks a further escalation in inter-Korean tensions.
In a statement, Pyongyang outlined plans to cut off roads and railways that could have facilitated future travel between the two nations.
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The border between North and South Korea, already one of the most heavily militarized in the world, will now be further fortified with defense structures.
Though North Korea labeled the decision a “major military step,” analysts suggest it continues a long-standing process.
Over recent months, Pyongyang has increasingly isolated itself, closing agencies dedicated to reunification and declaring South Korea its “principal enemy.”
The announcement coincides with the appointment of No Chol as North Korea’s new defense chief, replacing Kang Nam.
Notably absent from state media reports, however, was any mention of North Korea formally nullifying a 1991 inter-Korean agreement, an action anticipated by experts during a parliamentary meeting that concluded on Tuesday.
The agreement, signed during a period of relative détente, aimed to reduce military tensions between the two countries.
The North Korean army revealed that it had informed U.S. forces early Wednesday to avoid misunderstandings as it moves forward with the fortification project along the southern border.
Despite the tight security measures at the border, breaches have still occurred, with a North Korean crossing into the South in August, and ongoing construction of barriers and landmines reported by South Korea.
In July, Seoul reported that Pyongyang had spent months laying landmines and erecting barriers, turning areas of the fortified border into an uninhabitable wasteland.
June saw further casualties among North Korean soldiers working on border reinforcement, with multiple deaths resulting from landmine explosions.
Meanwhile, observers in Seoul noted the gradual demolition of parts of the Donghae Line railway, which once connected the two Koreas.
Analysts like Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, interpreted the destruction as a deliberate severance of ties.
Wednesday’s announcement, Yang said, was “official confirmation” of the regime’s broader strategy.
North Korea’s military justified the move as a “self-defensive measure” in response to ongoing South Korean war exercises and visits by U.S. strategic nuclear assets.
Despite escalating rhetoric, no formal changes were made regarding the North’s stance on South Korea during this week’s parliamentary meeting.
Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, suggested that North Korea may be holding off on further decisions regarding Seoul until after the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Adding to the complex geopolitical landscape, Seoul’s defense chief hinted earlier this week that North Korean soldiers may be fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Some troops are believed to have been killed, with more expected to be deployed.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.
Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”
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He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.
The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.
Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.
Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.
In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.
He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.
“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.
He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.
The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.
“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.
A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.
Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.
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The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.
Details shortly………..
South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry confirmed Monday, following a week of political chaos triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.
The ban marks the first time a sitting president has faced such a restriction in the nation’s history.
Recall that on December 3, Yoon ordered special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly in an attempt to impose martial law.
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Lawmakers swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order. Although he survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, public anger has continued to mount, with large protests demanding his resignation.
Authorities are now investigating Yoon and his close allies for their roles in last week’s events, including allegations of insurrection.
Among those facing travel bans are former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is in custody, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.
General Park An-su, who led the martial law operation, and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung have also been barred from leaving the country.
General Park was questioned by investigators on Monday as the probe intensified.
Yoon’s impeachment failed after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, denying the opposition the required two-thirds majority.
In exchange for their support, Yoon reportedly agreed to delegate his powers to the prime minister and the PPP chairman.
“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party.
Critics argue that Yoon’s decision to hand power to unelected officials violates the constitution.
“It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup,” said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University.
“Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol,” added Park Chan-dae.
Despite Yoon’s apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order, his approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Opposition leaders have announced plans for a second impeachment vote on Saturday, with massive protests expected outside the National Assembly.
The PPP’s claim that Yoon can remain in office while delegating his powers to party officials has also been widely criticized.
“If there are issues with the president, the constitution lays out clear procedures, such as suspension or impeachment,” said Professor Kim Hae-won.
The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about South Korea’s leadership amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.
The Defense Ministry confirmed Monday that Yoon remains the official commander in chief, despite questions about his authority.
“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou.
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