By North Korea has reportedly demolished the Arch of Reunification, a symbol of hope for peace and reconciliation with South Korea. The monument, built in 2000 after an inter-Korean summit, disappeared from satellite imagery, marking another sign of heightened tensions. Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, referred to the arch as an “eyesore” and declared the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas no longer possible. The 30-meter arch, formally known as the Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification, was a symbolic representation of self-reliance and national cooperation. Its removal adds to concerns about North Korea’s provocative stance amid recent missile launches and belligerent rhetoric. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with the White House expressing confidence in the defensive posture maintained on the peninsula. The chances of renewed cross-border cooperation seem bleak, given South Korea’s firm response to North Korean provocations under President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Supreme People’s Assembly in North Korea has abolished government agencies overseeing engagement with the South, further straining relations.
