On October 15, tensions between North and South Korea heightened as North Korea began demolishing the road connections between the two countries, specifically the Gyeongui Line and the Donghae Line. In response, the South Korean military fired back across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). A South Korean Facebook fan page released footage captured from multiple angles, showcasing the explosive demolition.
According to YTN News, the video reveals North Korean soldiers standing behind a black partition, preparing to detonate the Gyeongui Line road. At the moment of the explosion, thick plumes of black smoke and dust surged into the sky, with the camera visibly shaking from the blast’s force.
A blue road sign nearby, displaying “Goodbye” and “안녕히 가십시오” (meaning “please go safely” in Korean), ironically contrasted with the ongoing demolition operations.
The footage also shows heavy machinery, including excavators and large trucks, arriving on the scene to assist with the destruction efforts. The video captured multiple perspectives of the explosive event.
The Gyeongui Line stretches 499 kilometers, starting from Seoul Station and passing through areas like Goyang and Paju before reaching North Korean cities such as Kaesong, Pyongyang, and Sinuiju. This railway was first opened by Japan in 1906. The Donghae Line, also known as the Northern East Sea Line, was established in 1937, linking Sangju and Wonsan, and covering a total length of 180 kilometers.
Despite these railroads being situated within North Korean territory, they were constructed with 1.768 trillion Korean won borrowed from South Korea.