January 28th 2024.
Kim Jong-Un had recently expressed his disdain for a certain site, deeming it an unpleasant sight. Reports have now emerged that North Korea has taken drastic measures by tearing down a monument that stood for over a decade as a symbol of hope for the unification of the two Koreas.
Tensions have been escalating between North Korea and the rest of the world, with leader Kim Jong-un showing increasing hostility. In a seemingly symbolic act, the country has demolished the Arch of Reunification in Pyongyang, which was built back in 2001 by Kim's father, Kim Jong Il.
According to satellite imagery analyzed by an American website, NK News, the monument was taken down sometime between January 19 and 22. However, the images are not very clear and higher-definition footage is needed to confirm the demolition. The arch, stretching over 62 meters, was built to commemorate the reunification plans proposed by Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current leader.
The monument, featuring two women from North and South Korea holding a map of a unified country, was a representation of Kim's grandfather's vision for the two Koreas. However, to Kim Jong-un, it was simply an eyesore. In fact, he had publicly expressed his desire to remove it during a speech to the country's parliament just days before it was apparently taken down.
The Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim as saying that the removal of the arch was part of his government's efforts to eliminate the concepts of reunification, reconciliation, and fellow countrymen from the national history of North Korea. He also called for amendments to the constitution, declaring the South as the North's primary foe and principal enemy.
South Korea's Ministry of Unification has confirmed that the arch has indeed been demolished. The monument, which stood over the Reunification Highway near the border, was a significant symbol of the country's unity. Its removal has also been reflected in the North Korean government's online portal, Naenara, where the page about the Arch of Unification has been taken down.
The page once highlighted the shared history and identity of the Korean people, promoting the idea of national reunification. However, Kim Jong-un's recent actions and statements paint a different picture. During his speech, he declared that any invasion of North Korean territory, even by a tiny fraction, would be seen as an act of war. He also called for the blockage of all communication channels with South Korea, including the railway tracks linking the two countries.
Experts believe that by removing the Arch of Unification, Kim has effectively erased any remnants of the concept of unity from North Korean policy. This move has also been seen as a denial of the history of inter-Korean relations and is expected to increase geopolitical risks for South Korea. The Korea Institute for National Unification has expressed concerns over this development, stating that the region's tensions are only likely to rise further.
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