North Korea Destroys Monument Symbolizing Union With South Korea After Kim Jong Un's Speech

A massive arched monument that had stood in North Korea for over 20 years and represented the aspiration for reconciliation with South Korea has been demolished. This comes after Kim Jong Un's recent order to destroy it.

The imposing structure, named the 'Arch of Reunification,' was unveiled in 2001 as a tribute to the Korean reunification plans presented by the late leader and authoritarian figure, Kim Il Sung.

North Korea Demolishes 'Arch of Reunification'

(Photo : ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
A Korean People's Army (KPA) band stand before participants of an 'international march for peace, prosperity, and reunification of Korea' attended by various North Korean friendship organisations at the Three Charters Monument on the outskirts of Pyongyang on September 11, 2018. - The event was part of North Korea's celebrations surrounding the 70th anniversary of the country's founding.

The structure stood tall, reaching a height of 100 feet and spanning a width of 300 feet. It commanded attention as it overlooked the Reunification Highway, a busy road connecting Pyongyang to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Two women dressed in traditional Korean attire stood proudly, grasping an emblem that represented the unity of the entire Korean Peninsula, representing both the North and the South.

However, recent satellite imagery of Pyongyang revealed the unfortunate destruction of the monument. The exact circumstances surrounding its downfall remain uncertain, with the last known sighting captured in an image on Jan. 19, according to NK News.

According to South Korean government records, the three charters emphasized self-reliance, peace, and national cooperation. In a speech at the Supreme People's Assembly on Jan. 15, Kim Jong Un expressed his strong disapproval of the monument, referring to it as a "eyesore."

During the speech, he also issued an order to amend the constitution, designating the South as a "primary foe and invariable principal enemy," as reported by official media. According to NK News, he has ordered the complete removal of certain concepts from the national history of our Republic, aiming to eliminate any mention of "reunification," "reconciliation," and "fellow countrymen."

North-South Korea Tension

The development suggests a deepening of the strained relationship between the two nations. According to Fox News, Kim has requested that authorities take measures to completely halt all communication channels between the north and south along the border.

This includes physically severing the railway tracks to a point where they cannot be restored. The Korean peninsula is currently experiencing heightened tensions due to increased military activities by South Korea and the US. These actions are in response to recent weapons testing conducted by North Korea, who has made statements indicating their preparedness for a potential "nuclear war" with their adversaries.

When questioned about North Korea's potential shift in attitude towards the South, White House spokesperson John Kirby emphasized the close monitoring of the situation during a press briefing on Tuesday.

The newly elected South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has adopted a firm stance towards North Korea, advocating for swift and robust measures in response to their recent military activities, which have heightened tensions in the region.

North Korea has issued a strong warning, stating their intention to respond forcefully if attacked by the South and US forces. In late 2020, the North announced that it no longer considered a crucial agreement signed with the South in 2018 to be valid.

The agreement was intended to reduce military tensions between the two countries. After Kim's speech last week, the North's assembly made the decision to abolish important government agencies that have played a crucial role in facilitating exchanges with Seoul for many years, as per Reuters.