(3rd LD) N. Korea blows up inter-Korean roads, cuts off land routes with South

North Korea on Tuesday blew up roads connected to South Korea once seen as symbols of inter-Korean cooperation as it seeks to cement its animosity toward the South, which it regards as a "primary foe." "The North Korean military conducted detonations, assumed to be aimed at cutting off the Gyeongui and Donghae roads, at around noon and is carrying out additional activities using heavy equipment," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a text message to reporters. The JCS said the South's military did not suffer any damage and that it responded by firing shots south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) as a means of self-defense and as a warning against acts that likely violate the Armistice Agreement. "The military is closely monitoring the North Korean military's activities and maintains a firm readiness posture amid strengthened surveillance under South Korea-U.S. cooperation," it added. The detonations took place in areas just 10 meters away from the MDL at 11:49 a.m. on the road along the Gyeongui line and at 12:01 p.m. on the road along the Donghae line, respectively, affecting land routes measuring tens of meters, a JCS official said. Source: Yonhap News Agency