Current:Home > BackNorth Korea appears to construct walls near DMZ, satellite images reveal-InfoLens
North Korea appears to construct walls near DMZ, satellite images reveal
View Date:2024-12-23 16:39:30
North Korea has started construction on what appears to be tranches of wall near its border with South Korea, new satellite imagery shows.
The satellite images captured on June 17 and provided to CBS News by Planet Labs PBC show three white structures along the most eastern part of its border. BBC Verify was first to report on the new construction and satellite imagery.
The images also reveal that land was cleared for an access road on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. There have been recent reports of North Korea clearing land within other parts of the DMZ as part of a tougher stance against the South.
Established in 1953, the DMZ is a 150-mile long and 2.5-mile wide buffer that separates North and South Korea. It was created as part of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Given that a peace treaty was never signed, the two sides are still technically at war.
Dongsei Kim, an assistant professor at the New York Institute of Technology who has researched the DMZ, confirmed to CBS News that the cleared land and new road is within the original DMZ area. However, he said both sides have pushed into this original area multiple times over the past 70 years.
While the exact date that construction began is unclear, these structures and roads were not visible in satellite imagery from November 2023.
The new images come just days after South Korean forces fired warning shots for the second time this month at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the military demarcation line, said the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff in a text message to media outlets.
South Korea's military has said North Korea has been increasing construction activity in frontline border areas, including installing suspected anti-tank barriers, reinforcing roads and planting landmines.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week signed a strategic partnership agreement in Pyongyang as part of an effort to expand their military and economic cooperation. The agreement included a pledge for "mutual assistance" in the event of "aggression," according to Russian media.
- In:
- DMZ
- North Korea
- Demilitarized Zone
James LaPorta is a verification producer with CBS News Confirmed. He is a former U.S. Marine infantryman and veteran of the Afghanistan war.
veryGood! (828)
Related
- Fire crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire
- Mega Millions winning numbers for October 4 drawing: Jackpot at $129 million
- Verizon says network disruption is resolved; FCC investigating outage
- Two Mississippi Delta health centers awarded competitive federal grant for maternal care
- After entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts
- US court to review civil rights lawsuit alleging environmental racism in a Louisiana parish
- Mistrial declared again for sheriff accused of kicking shackled man in the groin
- US court to review civil rights lawsuit alleging environmental racism in a Louisiana parish
- Republican Gabe Evans ousts Democratic US Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Colorado
- Tia Mowry Details Why Her Siblings Are “Not as Accessible” to Each Other
Ranking
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
- Georgia Supreme Court halts ruling striking down state’s near-ban on abortions as the state appeals
- NFL Week 5 injury report: Live updates for active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- Jax Taylor Refiles for Divorce From Brittany Cartwright With Lawyer's Help
- In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
- Cardi B Claps Back on Plastic Surgery Claims After Welcoming Baby No. 3
- A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Heather Langenkamp Details Favorite Off-Camera Moment With Costar Johnny Depp
- Kamala Harris, Donald Trump tied amongst bettors for election win after VP debate
Recommendation
-
Horoscopes Today, November 12, 2024
-
Opinion: Browns need to bench Deshaun Watson, even though they refuse to do so
-
Helene victims face another worry: Bears
-
Ex-Delaware officer sentenced to probation on assault conviction
-
MLS playoff teams set: Road to MLS Cup continues with conference semifinals
-
Kieran Culkin ribs Jesse Eisenberg for being 'unfamiliar' with his work before casting him
-
Erin Foster’s Dad David Foster Has Priceless to Reaction to Her Show Nobody Wants This
-
What NFL game is on today? Saints at Chiefs on Monday Night Football