Editing North Korea–South Korea relations (section)

=== 2024 ===
On 15 January 2024, Kim Jong Un announced that peaceful reunification was no longer possible and proposed identifying South Korea as a hostile state in the North Korean constitution. It was also announced that North Korea would dissolve the [[Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland]], the National Economic Cooperation Bureau and the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Administration.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/unification-with-south-korea-no-longer-possible-says-kim-jong-un|title=Unification with South Korea no longer possible, says Kim Jong-un|publisher=Guardian|date=15 January 2024}}</ref> The [[Arch of Reunification]] in Pyongyang was subsequently demolished in January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Korea Demolishes Monument Symbolising Union With South: Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/north-korea-demolishes-monument-symbolising-union-with-south-report-4917750 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-23 |title=Kim Jong Un: Is North Korea's leader actually considering war?|work=[[BBC News]]|first=Frances|last=Mao |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68052515 |access-date=2024-01-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 4 June 2024, South Korea's State Council terminated the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration due to border tensions over balloons sent by North Korea.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-04 |title=South Korea is suspending a military deal with North Korea after tensions over trash balloons|work=[[AP News]]|first=Hyung|last=Jin Kim|url=https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-south-korea-balloons-military-agreement-e98754a2d25b38cc501eefb46015cb98 |access-date=2024-06-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 9 June 2024, South Korea announced to resume loudspeaker broadcasts of anti-North Korean propaganda after Pyongyang sent over 300 rubbish-filled balloons across the border. Seoul's military detected around 330 balloons since 8 June 2024, with about 80 found in South Korean territory. The president's office stated that the broadcasts aimed to deliver messages of hope to the North Korean military and citizens. This response followed weeks of activists in the South launching balloons carrying K-pop, [[United States dollar|dollar bills]], and anti-Kim Jong-un propaganda, which had infuriated Pyongyang. The loudspeaker broadcasts resumed after South Korea suspended a 2018 tension-easing agreement, allowing for propaganda campaigns and potential military exercises near the border.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea to resume propaganda broadcasts after North sends hundreds more rubbish balloons |date=9 June 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/09/south-korea-to-resume-propaganda-broadcasts-after-north-sends-hundreds-more-rubbish-balloons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609070344/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/09/south-korea-to-resume-propaganda-broadcasts-after-north-sends-hundreds-more-rubbish-balloons |archive-date=9 June 2024 |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref>

South Korea announced it would deploy laser weapons in 2024 to shoot down North Korean drones, becoming the first country to do so. Developed with [[Hanwha Aerospace]], these inexpensive and invisible lasers enhance defense capabilities by burning down drone engines within seconds. The move follows a December 2023 incident where North Korean drones entered South Korean airspace.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park |first=Ju-min |title=South Korea to deploy 'StarWars' laser weapons targeting North Korean drones |date=11 July 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-deploy-starwars-laser-weapons-targeting-north-korean-drones-2024-07-11/ |access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>

On 26 August 2024, North Korea revealed a new "suicide drone," with Kim Jong Un overseeing tests, according to state media. These drones, possibly acquired from [[Russia]] and strongly resembling the [[ZALA Lancet]], are capable of striking targets on land and sea, raising security concerns for South Korea.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Joyce |date=2024-08-26 |title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees tests of 'suicide drones' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-oversees-drone-test-2024-08-25/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=North Korea tests 'suicide drones' for military use, state media says |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2024-08-25/north-korea-suicide-drone-test-14977420.html |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Stars and Stripes |language=en}}</ref>

On 13 October 2024, North Korea threatened South Korea with 'severe consequences' if drones entered Pyongyang's airspace again, following accusations of recent drone activity. Although [[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|South Korea's defense minister]] refuted these claims, the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea)|Joint Chiefs of Staff]] stated they couldn't fully verify the incidents.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2024 |title=North Korea warns South of 'horrible disaster' if its drones found again |newspaper=Anadolu Ajansi |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/north-korea-warns-south-of-horrible-disaster-if-its-drones-found-again/3360366# |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>

On 15 October 2024, North Korea destroyed the road connecting North and South Korea. South Korea predicts that North Korea intends to demonstrate a complete severance between the two Koreas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=권혁철 |date=2024-10-15 |title=북, 경의·동해선 남북 연결도로 폭파…합참 "대응 사격" [영상] |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/defense/1162605.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=한겨레 |language=ko}}</ref> However, given that South Korea provided $125 million to North Korea for the construction of this road, South Korea is considering demanding repayment from North Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |last=양소연 |date=2024-11-18 |title=통일부 "경의선·동해선 육로 폭파한 북한에 건설 비용 상환 조처 검토" |url=https://imnews.imbc.com/news/2024/politics/article/6657378_36431.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=MBC 뉴스 |language=ko}}</ref>

On 24 October 2024, North Korean balloons carrying propaganda leaflets targeting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady [[Kim Keon-hee|Kim Keon Hee]] were found in Seoul, amid rising tensions between the two Koreas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 October 2024 |title=North Korea propaganda leaflets found in Seoul attack South Korea's first couple |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-propaganda-leaflets-found-seoul-attack-south-koreas-first-couple-2024-10-24/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>

On 11 December 2024, North Korea released its first statements on the [[2024 South Korean martial law|martial law declaration]] through an article published in the state newspaper ''[[Rodong Sinmun]]'', describing it as an "insane act" that was "akin to the coup d'état of the decades-ago military dictatorship era". It also described the incident "revealed the weakness in South Korean society" and hinted at the end of Yoon's political career. The newspaper also published images of anti-Yoon protests in Seoul.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2024 |title=N Korea mocks 'dictator' Yoon's 'insane' martial law attempt |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx26eglgn3wo |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-reports-south-koreas-martial-law-crisis-first-time-2024-12-10/ |date=10 December 2024|title= North Korea reports South Korea's martial law crisis for first time|website=Reuters|access-date= 11 December 2024|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://thediplomat.com/2024/12/how-north-korea-views-yoons-declaration-of-martial-law/ |date=11 December 2024|title= How North Korea Views Yoon's Declaration of Martial Law |website=The Diplomat|access-date= 11 December 2024|author=Mitch Shin|language=en-US}}</ref>