North Korea demolishes monument symbolizing goal of reconciliation with South

North Korea has demolished a major monument known informally as the Arch of Reunification, in its capital that symbolized the goal of reconciliation with South Korea on the orders of the leader Kim Jong Un. Satellite imagery of Pyongyang yesterday showed that the monument, an arch symbolizing hopes for Korean reunification which was completed after a landmark inter-Korea summit in 2000, was no longer there, according to a report by a news agency , an online outlet that monitors North Korea.

The arch, formally known as the Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification, stood 30 meters tall and was symbolic of the three



charters, which were self-reliance, peace and national cooperation, according to South Korean government records.

Last week, Kim Jong Un called South Korea a primary foe and said unification was no longer possible.  In a speech at the Supreme People's Assembly on 15th January, he had ordered that the constitution be amended to say the South was a primary foe and invariable principal enemy, he also called the monument an eyesore. Following his speech last week, the North's assembly abolished key government agencies that have been instrumental to decades of exchanges with Seoul.