US State Department: "North Korea Must Ease Tensions and Cease Risky Military Actions"

On the 15th (local time), the U.S. Department of State urged North Korea to "reduce tensions and cease actions that increase the risk of armed conflict" in relation to the demolition of certain sections of the inter-Korean connecting roads on the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the Department of State, said, "We are closely coordinating with our ally South Korea and monitoring the situation in North Korea," adding, "We encourage North Korea to return to dialogue and diplomacy."

On the previous day, North Korea blew up parts of the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), located just 10 meters outside the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). Following the blockade of the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line railways in August, the roads were destroyed after about two months.

With the demolition of these two symbolic sites of inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation, the only remaining land route between North and South Korea is now the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom.

Regarding reports that North Korea has sent troops to the Ukrainian battlefield to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. expressed concern.

The White House also voiced concern about these reports.

John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, stated at a briefing that day, "We cannot independently verify the report," adding, "If the idea that North Korean soldiers are fighting for Russia is true, it would demonstrate a significant strengthening of the North Korea-Russia defense relationship."

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