North Korea’s Kim warns of 'physical' force against South

ISTANBUL

North Korea's leader has called the South a foreign and hostile, warning of “physical” force in response to violations of Pyongyang's sovereignty, state-run media reported Friday.

“Our army should keep in mind once again the stark fact that the ROK is a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” Kim Jong Un said Thursday, according to the Korean Central News Agency, which released the report with images of the North Korean conversing with military staff.

He made the comments during an inspection of the headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People's Army (KPA).

Kim’s military directions during the visit come amid heightened tensions following alleged drone flights earlier this month over Pyongyang, which blames the South Korean military for the incursion. Seoul, which says it cannot confirm the allegations, held live rocket artillery drills near the border late on Thursday.

"We completely blocked the roads and railways to the territory of the ROK (South Korea) two days ago through blasting," said Kim, referring to North Korea's decision to destroy cross-border land links in response to the alleged drone flights.

The divided Koreas were connected by key routes — the Gyeongui Line, which links South Korea's western city of Paju to North Korea's Kaesong, and the Donghae Line along the eastern coast.

Pyongyang used detonations to close both the land routes early this week.

“It means not only the physical closure but also the end of the evil relationship with Seoul which persistently lasted century after century and the complete removal of the useless awareness about fellow countrymen and unreasonable idea of reunification,” said Kim.

Calling the closure of land routes a “last declaration,” Kim said that if North Korea’s sovereignty is violated by the South, Pyongyang would not hesitate to act with “physical forces, without sticking to conditions any longer.”

Pointing to the "changed nature of the ROK-US alliance" amid increased deployments of US nuclear assets to the region, Kim also vowed to strengthen Pyongyang's nuclear deterrent, declaring an end to the "evil" relationship with Seoul.

The report said Kim was briefed on the “enemy situation” by the army commander, as well as combat readiness of brigades that “are ready for action.”

“Only the peace defended with the powerful strength capable of controlling the enemy is the reliable, safe, lasting one,” he declared.