World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
North Korea is building a fortified barrier along the South Korean border
North Korea is building a fortified barrier along its side of the Demilitarized Zone, the buffer between North and South Korea.
The 250-kilometre border area is already heavily militarised, and the new defences include wire fences, minefields, roads and anti-tank barriers.
South Korea estimates the construction is 40–60% complete and expects it to finish by the second half of 2028.
The work began after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described the South as a separate, hostile state in December 2023, abandoning the goal of reunification.
A landmine blast wounded three South Korean soldiers in the DMZ in September; Seoul blamed a North Korean mine, while Pyongyang denied responsibility.
The dispute has deepened tensions between the two sides, with South Korea also saying North Korean troops have crossed the border during construction and that warning shots followed.
North Korea is building a continuous fortified barrier along its side of the Demilitarized Zone, which divides the two Koreas.
The construction includes wire fencing, minefields, tactical roads and anti-tank barriers.
South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff say construction is 40–60% complete and expect it to finish in the second half of 2028.
North Korea has also laid about 960,000 mines in the zone since 2024, according to estimates cited by the Guardian.
The work has heightened tensions, including after a mine blast injured three South Korean soldiers on 21 September.
- Who
- North Korea is building the barrier; South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff are monitoring the work.
- What
- North Korea is constructing a fortified barrier along its side of the Demilitarized Zone. It includes fencing, minefields, roads and anti-tank barriers.
- When
- Construction began a few months after Kim Jong-un redefined South Korea as a separate, hostile state in December 2023. Work has been under way since April 2024.
- Where
- Along the Korean peninsula’s 250km border, within the Demilitarized Zone.
- Why
- Analysts say it could stop North Koreans leaving, slow a South Korean advance in a future war and make the frontier function as an international border. Kim Yo-jong has said it will eliminate the danger of conflict at the border.
North Korean government
South Korean military
Border security
North Korean government
Kim Yo-jong has said the construction will eliminate the danger of a border conflict.
South Korean military
South Korea’s military says North Korean troops have repeatedly crossed the border during the work, prompting warning shots.
September mine blast
North Korean government
Pyongyang denied responsibility and called the incident a “self-staged farce”.
South Korean military
South Korea’s military concluded that a North Korean mine caused the blast and Seoul demanded an apology.
Kim Jong-un redefined South Korea as a separate, hostile state.
North Korea began work on a permanent fortified border through the Demilitarized Zone.
A landmine blast wounded three South Korean soldiers clearing a path in the Demilitarized Zone.
North Korean workers were seen erecting barbed-wire fences in border areas of Hwanghae province.
- Border length
- 250km
- Demilitarized Zone width
- 4km
- Estimated mines laid since 2024
- About 960,000
- Construction progress
- 40–60% complete
- Expected completion
- Second half of 2028
- Mine blast injuries
- Three South Korean soldiers, including one who lost his foot
What people are saying
self-staged farce
armed rogues