Korean tensions raised in move by Pyongyang
Cold shoulder given to engagement attempts
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Tuesday that it is cutting off all communication channels with South Korea, a move experts say could signal that Pyongyang has grown frustrated that Seoul has failed to revive lucrative inter-korean economic projects and persuade the United States to ease sanctions.
The North’s Korean Central News Agency said all cross-border communication lines would be cut off at noon in the “the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea and get rid of unnecessary things.”
When South Korean officials tried to contact their North Korean counterparts via several channels after the North’s announcement Tuesday, the North Koreans didn’t answer, according to the South Korean government.
North Korea has cut communications in the past, not replying to South Korean phone calls or faxes, and then restored those channels when tensions eased. North Korea has been accused at times of creating tensions to bolster internal unity or to signal its frustration over a lack of progress in nuclear talks with Washington.
In its announcement, North Korea said Tuesday’s move was a response to South Korea’s failure to stop activists from floating anti-pyongyang leaflets across their border.
“The South Korean authorities connived at the hostile acts against (North Korea) by the riffraff while trying to dodge heavy responsibility with nasty excuses,” the news agency said.
South Korea’s liberal government said that cross-border hotlines must be maintained.
The Unification Ministry said South Korea will strive to promote peace while abiding by inter-korean agreements.
South Korea has typically let activists launch such balloons, citing their rights to freedom of speech, but has halted some attempts when North Korean warnings appeared to be serious.
In 2014, North Korean troops opened fire at propaganda balloons flying toward their territory, triggering an exchange of fire that caused no known causalities.