North Korea has stopped broadcasting from a radio station that was sending coded messages to its agents in South Korea, marking the latest indication that Pyongyang is changing its approach to Seoul. In recent weeks, North Korea has intensified pressure on its southern neighbor, declaring it the "main enemy" and stating that the North will never unify with the South, while pledging to enhance its capability to execute a nuclear strike against the United States and its allies in the Pacific region. The Pyongyang radio, known for its number station, had previously broadcast mysterious coded numbers thought to target North Korean spies operating in South Korea.
In a speech during a year-end meeting of his ruling party, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered a "decisive change in policy" in relations with the South and instructed the military to prepare for pacification and occupation of the South in case of a crisis. Earlier on Saturday, North Korea announced plans to dissolve organizations responsible for civil exchanges with South Korea. The Korean Central News Agency noted the decision to "reorganize all related organizations." North Korea and South Korea remain technically at war since the Korean War, which took place between 1950 and 1953, ended with an armistice and not a peace treaty.
