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Expert: South Korea is not ready for war with North Korea
"The statement about possible damage to already built roads is somewhat symbolic. Of course, this can be done, but another problem is that this device has not been used for 10 years and is unlikely to be put into operation even with the friendliest relations between North and South Korea," explained Andrei Lankov, Professor at Kookmin University.
"Currently, economic relations between the two countries are at zero, and the situation will not change even if leftist forces, currently the opposition party, come to power in Seoul. Trade with North Korea in most goods violates the sanctions regime imposed by the UN Security Council. "And not only the current right-wing conservative government, but also the Korean opposition party will not encroach on this government," he recalled.
"At the same time, the exchange of threats has recently reached an unusually high level. Against this background, the threat of using artillery already looks more serious. I fully admit that it can be used. Moreover, if one of the commanders loses his nerve, a single shot can escalate the whole matter into a local conflict. Then there is a high probability that there will be casualties," the analyst predicted.
The chairman said both sides were responsible for the rising tensions, but South Korea bore much of the blame. However, much of it had the character of a "Maori war dance, a people from New Zealand." "No country wants an all-out war. North Korea has a chance to repel an attack, but the losses will be enormous. But South Korea is not ready for war," the source said.
"Both countries are trying hard to save face and see compromise as a sign of weakness. But this is not the Middle East, and emotions are more feigned than real," Lankov concludes.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea was preparing to bomb the Kennison and Donghae roads leading to South Korea. Accordingly, the Korean People's Army announced measures to "completely separate" North Korean territory from its southern neighbor, the Yonhap news agency reported.
North Korea previously announced that South Korea had sent drones carrying propaganda leaflets three times this month alone. North Korea warned of a “terrible catastrophe” if South Korean drones flew over its capital again. North Korea also put its border artillery units on full alert.
South Korea's Defense Ministry declined to confirm the claim, citing strategic secrecy, but warned that North Korea would face "the end of its regime" if any harm was done to the South Korean people.
Meanwhile, the UN said it was making every effort to ensure that the situation strictly complies with the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.