**Explosions Detected on Roads Connecting North and South Korea Amid Escalating Tensions**

South Korea's military reported on Tuesday that it has identified explosions on two key cross-border roads linking the country to North Korea. This development comes amidst a sharp downturn in inter-Korean relations in recent months. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed in a statement that North Korean forces detonated explosives on the Gyeongui Line and Donghae Line, presumably to obstruct the connection roads.

In addition to the explosions, North Korean forces deployed "heavy equipment" for what could be further operations, as per the JCS statement. Despite the hostilities, there was no reported damage to South Korean forces. The JCS also mentioned that warning shots were fired in areas south of the Military Demarcation Line as a precautionary measure.

The deteriorating situation follows a warning issued by Seoul on Monday, which suggested that North Korea appeared to be preparing to destroy the roadways. JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun stated that the North Korean military had been involved in activities likely linked to the explosions along the Gyeongui and Donghae lines. He also emphasized that any provocation from North Korea would be met with strong retaliation in self-defense.

This is not the first sign of heightened tensions; North Korea had announced last week its intention to permanently seal off its border with South Korea, cutting rail and road connections and reinforcing defensive measures. The Gyeongui Line connects the western South Korean city of Paju with North Korea's Kaesong, while the Donghae Line runs along the eastern coast. Over the past months, North Korea has been laying mines, removing lights, and dismantling structures on these routes, according to South Korean sources.

North Korea communicated its intentions to U.S. forces stationed in South Korea, aiming to prevent any misunderstandings or accidental conflicts related to their fortification project. The ongoing tensions have worsened since December 2023 when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the two nations as hostile states. The North has since sent thousands of "trash balloons" into South Korea and has accused the South of flying drones over Pyongyang, prompting a directive for eight artillery brigades to be ready to fire across the border.

Seoul's Defense Ministry issued a stern warning, stating that any harm caused to South Koreans could lead to the end of the North Korean regime. These latest developments signal a continuing escalation in the strained relationship between the two Koreas, with both sides bracing for possible confrontations.