According to a report by NK News, North Korea has destroyed a monument in its capital that symbolized the goal of peace and reconciliation with South Korea, under the orders of leader Kim Jong Un. This comes after Kim Jong Un labeled South Korea as the “primary foe” and dismissed the possibility of reunification during a speech last week.
Satellite imagery of Pyongyang on Tuesday confirmed the absence of the monument, which was known as the Arch of Reunification. However, Reuters was unable to independently verify the demolition of the monument.
During his speech at the Supreme People’s Assembly on Jan. 15, Kim Jong Un referred to the monument as an “eyesore” and ordered the amendment of the constitution to designate the South as the “primary foe and invariable principal enemy,” as reported by official media.
Tensions in the Korean peninsula have risen due to heightened military activities by South Korea and the U.S. in response to North Korea’s weapons testing. The North has also declared its readiness for a “nuclear war” with its enemies.
The monument, officially named the Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification, stood at 30 meters tall and represented the three charters of self-reliance, peace, and national cooperation, according to South Korean government records.
Since taking office in 2022, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has taken a firm stance against North Korea, advocating for strong responses to the North’s military provocations that have escalated tensions in the region.
North Korea has threatened to “wipe out” the South if attacked by South Korean and U.S. forces. Additionally, the North has declared a key agreement signed with the South in 2018, aimed at reducing military tensions, as no longer valid.
Following Kim Jong Un’s speech, the North’s assembly disbanded several government agencies that have played a significant role in decades of exchanges with Seoul.
(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
