On October 15, South Korea’s military confirmed it has fired back at North Korea, which had destroyed sections of the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line railways connecting the two Koreas. This action follows reports that, despite the railroads being located in North Korea, they were financed by South Korean taxpayers to the tune of 176.8 billion won, equivalent to approximately 130 million dollars at the time. North Korea, it seems, acted decisively and without hesitation.

The Gyeongui Line stretches 499 kilometers, beginning from Seoul Station and passing through Goyang and Paju before reaching North Korea’s Kaesong, Pyongyang, and Sinuiju. Initially opened by Japan in 1906, the Donghae Line, also known as the East Coast Line, connects Sangnok to Wonsan and was completed in 1937, covering a length of 180 kilometers.

These railways and their associated roads represent a symbol of reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas. However, recent tensions—including the killing of tourists at Mount Kumgang and North Korea’s nuclear tests and missile provocations—have strained relations, relegating the Gyeongui and Donghae Lines to mere symbolic status.

Adding to the complexity, although these railways are situated within North Korea, they are funded by South Korean taxpayers. The South Korean government has indicated that it provided loans to support the construction of these rail connections, amounting to approximately 132.9 million dollars between 2002 and 2008. While these were classified as loans, North Korea has never repaid them.

In June 2020, North Korea demolished a South Korean-funded office building, prompting a lawsuit filed by South Korea in June of the following year. The suit, lodged with the Seoul Central District Court, seeks 44.7 billion won in damages, well within the three-year statute of limitations for claims.

The South Korean government has stated that even a favorable ruling would likely yield no tangible compensation, as the lawsuit aims to underscore that North Korea’s actions violate existing agreements and infringe on the property rights of the South Korean government and its citizens.

Analysts suggest that the destruction of the Gyeongui and Donghae Lines—also funded by South Korea’s budget—undermines the foundation of mutual trust between the two Koreas and speculate that the South Korean government may escalate its legal actions as a response.