Voice of America (VOA) reported on Tuesday that signs of extensive construction activity have been detected in the area of the Gyeongui Line, which North Korea recently destroyed to sever connections with South Korea.
According to the analysis of satellite images from the private satellite platform Planet Labs taken on October 20, North Korea appears to have initiated significant fortification work on the Gyeongui Line road linking Paju in Gyeonggi Province to the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
It was reported that, on October 15, a rectangular area measuring 135 meters (approximately 443 feet) wide and 115 meters (about 377 feet) long was created on the North Korean side of the blown-up Gyeongui Line road.
Two days after the explosion, on October 17, satellite images revealed construction signs spanning about 100 meters (328 feet) across the road. By October 20, a large rectangular area began materializing in the same location.
VOA noted that the presence of a black shadow on the Korean side of the site suggests the potential erection of structures such as barriers. However, they cautioned that the low quality of the satellite images makes it challenging to determine the exact situation.
Earlier, on October 9, the North Korean General Staff announced plans to “completely sever the roads and railways connected to South Korea and proceed with the construction of solid defensive fortifications.” Following this declaration, on October 15, they detonated explosives on portions of the Gyeongui Line and the Donghae Line connection road on the North Korean side.