The sound of explosions rang out along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas on Thursday, as North Korea detonated dynamite to clear land a day after announcing plans to further fortify its southern border.

The blasts seen and heard by NK News during a trip to the western part of the inter-Korean border appear to be part of efforts by the Korean People’s Army (KPA) to establish new guard positions and fence lines.

Satellite imagery of the site across from South Korea’s Yeoncheon County shows that North Korea is clearing a large strip of land on its side