North Korea's army announced it is going to completely close off the border it shares with South Korea. The country said it will block all roads and railways that connect the two nations. These roads and railways might have been used for travel and trade someday, but North Korea has decided to cut them off as part of its new military plans.

This decision by North Korea is considered a big military step. However, some experts think it’s not something new but part of what North Korea has already been doing for the last few months.

The relationship between North and South Korea has worsened recently. North Korea has shut down several offices that were trying to bring the two countries closer together and has officially called South Korea its main enemy. Many experts thought North Korea would cancel an important agreement made in 1991 between the two countries, but on Wednesday, the official news in North Korea did not say anything about ending that agreement.

Military tensions and defence measures

Even though North Korea did not officially end the 1991 agreement, its army has announced plans to take a big military step. This includes completely closing all roads and railways between North and South Korea and building stronger defenses on its side of the border. North Korea also informed the United States to prevent any accidental conflicts while it starts building these defenses.

The border between North and South Korea is one of the most heavily protected in the world, but recently, some movement has still occurred. In August, a person from North Korea crossed into South Korea.

In July, South Korea reported that North Korea had been placing landmines, building barriers, and damaging the area along the border.

North Korea appoints new defence chief

On the same day, North Korea announced that No Kwang Chol is its new defense minister, replacing Kang Sun Nam. This leadership change happened as reports surfaced that North Korean soldiers might be fighting with Russian troops in Ukraine. Some North Korean soldiers are believed to have already died in Ukraine, with more expected to be sent.

Experts are carefully watching what North Korea does next. The country is under pressure because of South Korea's military exercises and the presence of US nuclear weapons nearby. Analysts also think North Korea might be waiting to see the results of next month's US election before making more decisions about its relationship with South Korea.