KPA General Staff Says It “Will Take Powerful Practical Military Countermeasures”

Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Chief of the KPA General Staff (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Graphic of the control channels of the KPA General Staff. Some of what DPRK state media calls “strategic rocket” units reside at the corps level, but are commanded by the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command. The green line indicates dual command between the NDC and CMC (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch)

DPRK state media released a statement (tamhwa) on 4 April (Thursday) from a spokesman from the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff which said the “”the towering resentment of the DPRK’s army and people has reached an irrepressible phase as they are all out in the all-out action to defend the sovereignty and prevent a nuclear war of the U.S.” and that “no one can say a war will break out in Korea or not and whether it will break out today or tomorrow.”  The KPA General Staff also announced that it is “in charge of all operations will take powerful practical military counteractions in succession as the KPA Supreme Command had already solemnly declared internally and externally.”

According to the KCNA, the KPA General Staff’s spokesman statement said:

A touch-and-go situation is prevailing on the Korean Peninsula.

U.S. formation of B-52s based on Guam flew into the sky above South Korea all of a sudden to stage a drill under the simulated conditions of a nuclear strike at the DPRK and formations of F-22s took off from Japan proper and Okinawa and were deployed in the Osan air force base in south Korea to watch for a chance to make a surprise strike.

B-2s flew into the air over waters of the West Sea of Korea from the U.S. mainland and nuclear- powered guided missile submarines and guided missile destroyers of the U.S. Navy which had been operating in waters of the Western Pacific are busy sailing in the West and East Seas of Korea.

It was reported that super-large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its group will enter the waters off the Korean Peninsula soon after leaving waters of the Indian Ocean or the western coast of the U.S. mainland.

South Korea and waters around it are turning into places for display of various types of nuclear strike means of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and a dangerous hotbed of a nuclear war in the true sense of the word.

The U.S. high-handed hostile policy toward the DPRK aimed to encroach upon its sovereignty and the dignity of its supreme leadership and bring down its social system is being implemented through actual military actions without hesitation.

Days and months have passed on this land amid the constant danger of war but never had the whole Korean Peninsula been exposed to such danger of a nuclear war as today.

Under this situation the towering resentment of the DPRK’s army and people has reached an irrepressible phase as they are all out in the all-out action to defend the sovereignty and prevent a nuclear war of the U.S.

In view of the prevailing situation the world people who love justice and value conscience are unanimously becoming critical of the U.S. and its followers for their disgraceful behavior of prodding the UN Security Council into adopting “resolutions on sanctions” against the DPRK and vocal expressing concern over the situation on the peninsula.

The moment of explosion is approaching fast.

No one can say a war will break out in Korea or not and whether it will break out today or tomorrow.

The responsibility for this grave situation entirely rests with the U.S. Administration and military warmongers keen to encroach upon the DPRK’s sovereignty and bring down its dignified social system with brigandish logic.

In view of this situation, the KPA General Staff in charge of all operations will take powerful practical military counteractions in succession as the KPA Supreme Command had already solemnly declared internally and externally.

We have already sent a strong message to the present puppet authorities and military of South Korea following in the footsteps of traitor Lee Myung Bak so that they may understand our position.

As a matter of fact, puppet military gangsters such as Kim Kwan Jin are human rejects not worth becoming targets of the DPRK’s revolutionary armed forces.

We formally inform the White House and Pentagon that the ever-escalating U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and its reckless nuclear threat will be smashed by the strong will of all the united service personnel and people and cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means of the DPRK and that the merciless operation of its revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.

The U.S. had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation.

 

 

 

Kim Jong Un Convenes Meeting and Orders Strategic Rockets “To be on stand-by”

Kim Jong Un (seated) reviews military operations plans, prior to ordering the DPRK’s missiles and strategic rockets to be “on stand-by.” Behind him (L-R) are Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vide Chief of the KPA General Staff) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) convened a meeting and signed military operations orders at 00:30 [12:30 am] Korean Standard Time [KST] on 29 March (Friday).  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance on 28 March (Thursday) at a commemorative photo session with participants in a national meeting of Korean People’s Army [KPA] information personnel.  Attending the operations planning meeting were Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau)**, Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff) and Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Chief of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command).

Kim Jong Un signs military orders on 29 March 2013 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un participates in an operational planning meeting on 29 March 2013. Briefing KJU in these images is Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (L), commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un participates in an operational planning meeting in central Pyongyang on 29 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

KCNA reported that “not content with letting B-52 make sorties over south Korea in succession despite the repeated warnings, they made B-2A stealth strategic bomber and other strategic strike means fly from Whiteman air force base in Missouri State, the U.S. over south Korea on March 28 for the first time in history to commit such dangerous provocation as openly staging a drill for striking ground targets of the DPRK” and “fully proves that the brigandish ambition of the U.S. imperialists for aggression to stand in confrontation with the DPRK has reached an extreme phase defying the meaningful warning made by its revolutionary armed forces in the March 26 statement of the Supreme Command of the Korean People’s Army.”  Under these circumstances, DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un “convened an urgent operation meeting on the KPA Strategic Rocket Force’s performance of duty for firepower strike at the Supreme Command at 00:30 Friday.”  During the meeting, Gen. Kim Yong Chol briefed KJU “on the information about the nature of action of the nuclear strike means of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces.”  KJU was also briefed by Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom “on the technical conditions of the strategic strike means of the KPA.”  After Lt. Gen. Kim’s brief, according to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “made an important decision.”

KCNA reports:

He said he has judged the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists in view of the prevailing situation.

If they make a reckless provocation with huge strategic forces, the KPA should mercilessly strike the U.S. mainland, their stronghold, their military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in south Korea, he said. He examined and finally ratified the plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike.

The U.S. imperialists let B-2A make sorties over south Korea in succession, indicating once again that their hostile acts against the DPRK have entered a reckless phase, going beyond the phase of threat and blackmail, he said.

B-2A’s flight to the sky above south Korea is not a simple demonstration of forces in reaction to the tough stand of the DPRK but an ultimatum that they will ignite a nuclear war at any cost on the Korean Peninsula, he noted, underlining the need to put a definite end to the times when they could threaten and blackmail the DPRK with nukes.

He declared the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK would react to the U.S. nuclear blackmail with a merciless nuclear attack, and war of aggression with an all-out war of justice.

He finally signed the plan on technical preparations of strategic rockets of the KPA, ordering them to be standby for fire so that they may strike any time the U.S. mainland, its military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in south Korea.

He said the enemies are bringing dark clouds of a nuclear war testing the DPRK’s self-restraint, adding the DPRK can no longer tolerate this. He ordered the KPA to blow up and reduce everything to ashes at a single strike, if an order is issued.

He said the heroic service personnel of the KPA and all other people, their hearts burning with irrepressible resentment at the reckless war provocation moves of the U.S. imperialists, are now waiting for a final order of the WPK Central Committee, hardening their will to turn out in a do-or-die battle with the enemies.

The KPA will never remain a passive onlooker to the U.S. imperialists’ frantic moves for aggression but do its best to defend the destiny of the country and nation, he said.

It is the truth confirmed by history that no force on earth can hold in check the people all out for the just cause, he noted, stressing if an undesired war breaks out on this land again due to the consequences of the unpardonable action of the U.S. imperialists, it will bring them a shameful ruin and the Korean nation will greet the bright day of national reunification.

The important decision made by him under the grave situation where the Korean Peninsula has been pushed to the brink of a nuclear war by the U.S. imperialists will mark a turning point in putting an end to the history of the long-standing showdown with the U.S. and opening a new phase of history.

** Col.. Gen. Ri Yong Gil has been appointed Chief of the KPA General Staff Operation Bureau and ex aequo 1st Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff.  Previously commander of V Army Corps, Col. Gen. Ri replaces Gen. Kim Myong Guk, a member of the Party Central Military Commission and KJI confidante, who held the position twice.

KPA Supreme Command Issues Statement

DPRK citizens watch a KCTV anchorwoman read a statement of the KPA Supreme Command on a jumbotron outside Pyongyang Central Railway Station on 26 March 2013 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that the Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Command issued a statement on 26 March 2013 (Tuesday) which said that it “put on the highest alert all the field artillery units including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units which are assigned to strike bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops in the U.S. mainland and on Hawaii and Guam and other operational zone in the Pacific as well as all the enemy targets in south Korea and its vicinity.”

The message was read by a Korean Central Television [KCTV] anchorwoman, not a general-grade officer of the KPA.  According to KCNA, the English version of the statement said:

The U.S. nuclear war racket has gone beyond the danger line and entered the phase of an actual war, defying the repeated warnings from the army and people of the DPRK.

The U.S. let B-52 formation deployed in Anderson air force base on Guam fly into the sky above south Korea at around 08:00 on March 25. The formation staged a nuclear striking drill with simulated targets in the depth of the DPRK from around 11:50 and revealed it to the public.

The U.S. even let the conservative media of south Korea reveal the process of the 2010 operation against Osama bin Laden. It openly said the operational plan of “south Korea-U.S. combined forces” includes targeting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK with the use of lethal striking means and methods of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces and the south Korean puppet army.

They blustered that the operation targeting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK has no problem in terms of military technique, adding that they are closely monitoring all the relevant moves of the DPRK. They even made such bluff that now is the time to unfold “active north Korea policy”, “not passive one”.

The present south Korean puppet authorities tried to link the Ch’o'nan sinking case with the DPRK and shift the blame for the Yo’np’yo’ng Island shelling on to the DPRK just as traitor Lee Myung Bak did. They said they plan mounting precision missile attacks on the statues of great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in different parts of the DPRK including those in Pyongyang if “local provocation” of similar nature reoccurs.

They, unafraid of divine punishment, even said that they drafted the “list of targets” based on detailed analysis of the locations, sizes and specific features of those statues.

All these moves clearly prove that the anti-DPRK hostile acts now under way by the U.S., south Korean puppet forces and all other followers under the pretext of the DPRK’s satellite launch and the underground nuclear test have entered a reckless phase of practical implementation after going beyond the phase of threatening and blackmailing.

The gravity of the situation lies in that such reckless moves are timed to coincide with the U.S.-masterminded resolutions on sanctions against the DPRK being carried into practice intensively through conspiracy and nexus with all hues of hostile forces.

The KPA Supreme Command declares at home and abroad the final decision of the army and people of the DPRK as follows as regards the present prevailing situation:

1. We will demonstrate with the practical military action the firm will of the army and people of the DPRK to take counteraction to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the supreme leadership of the country.

There is a limit to patience.

It is the clear conclusion drawn by us that we can never tolerate the serious situation in which the sovereignty and dignity of the supreme leadership of the country are ruthlessly trampled down and the U.S. nuclear threat and blackmail are turning into a real war.

From this moment the KPA Supreme Command will put on the highest alert all the field artillery units including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units which are assigned to strike bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops in the U.S. mainland and on Hawaii and Guam and other operational zone in the Pacific as well as all the enemy targets in south Korea and its vicinity.

2. We will show the present puppet authorities of south Korea, which are dancing to the tune of their master, kowtowing to his hostile policy toward the DPRK, the strongest will of the DPRK army with physical action.

The enemies are seriously mistaken if they think they can find an opportunity for striking “basic bases” and attacking “support forces” and “commanding forces”.

They should be mindful that everything will be reduced to ashes and flames the moment the first attack is unleashed.

It is the unshakable stand of the army and people of the DPRK that they can never allow the treacherous acts, the preceding ruler committed by pushing the inter-Korean relations to a catastrophe and blocking the way for peace and prosperity for five years, to be taken over by the present south Korean chief executive.

3. We call upon progressive people of the world opposing war and loving peace to turn out as one in the struggle against the brigandish U.S. highhanded and arbitrary practices.

Injustice can never become justice though it is practiced by big countries with advantageous military muscles.

Even the resolution of the UN Security Council will become unjust one and become an international crime going against the trend of the times if it is devoid of impartiality.

Injustice is temporary one and will die in end.

But justice is like a flame that flares up forever.

The KPA Supreme Command calls upon the conscience of the world to actively join the army and people of the DPRK in defending independence and justice, not blindly following the U.S. high-handed and arbitrary practices and the UNSC’s “resolutions” bereft of impartiality.

Victory is in store for the army and people of the DPRK rising up to defend the sovereignty, and progressive people of the world loving justice and peace.

Kim Jong Un Observes and Commands Live Fire Joint Exercises of KPA Large Combined Units #324 & #287 and KPA Navy Combined Unit #597

Kim Jong Un observes live fire joint exercises by DPRK ground, naval and artillery forces on the country’s east coast on 25 March 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 25 March (Monday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) commanded live fire joint exercises by Korean People’s Army [KPA] Large Combined (taeyonhap pudae) Units #324 and #287 and KPA Navy Combined (yonhap pudae) Unit #597.  The joint exercises simulated defense of the country east coast, naval landings on a beach by DPRK ground forces.  It utilized light infantry, multiple-launch rocket systems [MRLS] and artillery.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a concert rehearsal by the KPA Song and Dance Ensemble, inspection of musical instruments and clothing produced by KPA factories and a review of historical artifacts designated for the reconstructed war museum in Pyongyang.  Among those attending KJU’s observation and command of the live joint exercises was Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Chief of the KPA General Staff, Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon (staff member, KPA Supreme Command) and Lt. Gen. Rim Kwang Il.  According to KCNA this was an impromptu joint exercise  and KJU “issued an order for drills without any notice and finally examined the landing and anti-landing capabilities of the large combined units of the KPA Ground Force and the KPA Navy combined unit situated in the eastern sector of the front and the east coastal area.”

Kim Jong Un reviews an operations plan during joint live exercises on the country’s east coast on 25 March 2013. Also seen in attendance is Chief of the KPA General Staff, Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (L) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Hovercraft (ACVs) of KPA Navy Combined Unit #597 land on the country’s east coast whilst ground forces charge toward simulated targets on the beach (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Women members of the 1st platoon of KPA Large Combined Unit 324 participate in artillery drills (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

The first phase of the joint exercises involved MRLS in coastal defense “striking and wiping out landing enemies in the waters took place”, followed by the landing of air cushion vehicles [ACVs] (hovercraft) which deployed ground troops.  As KJU watched the beach landing, according to KCNA, he said that service members “look highly-spirited and if it were an actual battle, the enemies would have no time to come to their senses.”  The next phase involved a women’s artillery platoon using MRLS.  KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un “personally designated a firepower position beside him and set a target without any notice before giving an order to destroy it” and the platoon “rapidly took the firepower position and accurately hit the target.”  After this phase of the drill KCNA reported that KJU “shook their hands one by one, praising them as great soldiers and crack shots.”  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un said, “They performed their duties well though he had set without any notice a target which was not envisaged in the drill program and assigned to them duty to destroy it.”  He then took a commemorative photograph with the women warriors and remarked “How praiseworthy Korean women are and a-match-for-a-hundred members of the women’s multiple rocket system can never be compared with nukes.”  KCNA reported that KJU was “earnestly telling them to conduct training better and launch a dynamic campaign to become one-beats-a hundred crack shots at ordinary times and hero artillery women by sending enemy warships to the bottom of the sea in the decisive battles.”

Kim Jong Un Observes and Commands Flak Rocket and Drone Drill

Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (R), commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces, briefs Kim Jong Un (2nd R) about live fire anti-aircraft drills (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 20 March (Wednesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) observed and commanded a Korean People’s Army [KPA] live fire drill using flak rockets and drones.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance was in Pyongyang on 19 March (Tuesday) at a commemorative photo session with participants at a national meeting of light industry workers.  At the drills Kim Jong Un was joined by VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon (Staff member of the KPA Supreme Command) and Lt. Gen. Son Jong Nam.  Upon his arrival at the drill site, KJU was greeted by Gen. Ri Pyong Chol, commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces, was briefed about the drills and ordered them to begin.

Kim Jong Un (3rd L) observes anti-aircraft drills on 20 March 2013 through binoculars. Also seen in attendance are VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L) and Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (R) (Photo: KCNA)

The first phase of an anti-aircraft drill utilizing what DPRK state media identified as drones (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

What DPRK state media identified as drones (L) hit their targets (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) smiles after the first phase of live fire anti-aircraft drills (Photo: KCNA)

The first phase of the drills involved drones which took off toward “enemy positions” which KCNA reported “stormed the targets, destroying them with accuracy.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said, “that the planes are very fast and have high target discerning ability.  The planes were assigned the flight route and time with the targets in south Korea in mind,” and “that they were was proved to be able to mount super precision attack on any enemy targets.”  DPRK state media has previously shown small unmanned aerial vehicles during military parades and at one of KJU’s inspections in 2012, but it is not clear if the KPA possesses a working drone.

Self-propelled anti-aircraft systems fire flak rockets in a live fire drill (Photos: KCNA)

An anti-aircraft flak rocket hits what DPRK state media described as a “target disguised as a Tomahawk missile” (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

The next phase of the drill involved self-propelled anti-aircraft “flak rockets” aimed at “ a target disguised as Tomahawk cruise missile of the enemy.”  KCNA reported that “ an outburst of fire with roaring blast flew toward the missile, destroying it at a single shot.”  KJU was pleased with the anti-aircraft drill and “called for further raising the performance of drone and rocket which demonstrated their might in the drills and urged the soldiers to get fully ready to mount super precision strike at any target any time,” according to KCNA.  Kim Jong Un also said:

When the drills turn into a battle, the enemies will be made to drink a bitter cup, unable to raise their heads, in the face of retaliatory blows of the strong revolutionary  Mt. Paektu (Paektusan) army.  If the enemies, oblivious of the tremendous might of the KPA, make even the slightest movement, [I] will give an order to destroy not only the military installments and puppet reactionary ruling institutions in the operational theater in south Korea but the relevant facilities of countries following the U.S. war moves for invading the DPRK, and the military bases of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces in the operational theatre of the Pacific.  Time has gone when only words were made, stressing the need to destroy the enemies without mercy so that not a single man can survive to sign a document of surrender when a battle starts.

KCNA reported that KJU “stressed the need to have at command the coordinates of every enemy target in the operational theater of south Korea and input them in precision drone attack means of the Korean style so that they should make point attack on any target any moment” and “ set forth important tasks in making full combat preparations of the KPA as required by the prevailing situation.”  Before participating in a commemorative photograph session with participants in the drill, Kim Jong Un “called on all the service personnel of the KPA to maintain high alert posture and wait for his order for the grand advance for national reunification.”

Kim Jong Un evaluates and issues instructions after live fire anti-aircraft drills (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) greets participants in 20 March 2013 live fire anti-aircraft exercises prior whilst arriving at a commemorative photo session with the exercises’ participants (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

KPA officers and service members who participated in live fire exercises on 20 March 2013 greet Kim Jong Un prior to a commemorative photo session (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Kim Jong Un poses for commemorative photographs with KPa commanders, officers and service members who participated in live fire exercises on 20 March 2013. Seen L of KJU is VMar Choe Ryong Hae and seen R of KJU is Gen. Ri Pyong Chol. (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un’s inspection and commanding of the anti-air drills occurred after the US B-52 bomber participated in training mission on 8 March and 19 March (Tuesday) as part of the joint US-ROK joint military exercises Foal Eagle.  During Tuesday’s training exercises flight the B-52 flew over South Korea’s [ROK] Kangwo’n Province.  As Kim Jong Un observed the anti-aircraft drills, a spokesman of the DPRK Foreign Ministry protested  the use of the B-52 as “an unpardonable provocation against the DPRK to sound out its strongest will that the U.S. is introducing a strategic nuclear strike means into the Korean Peninsula at a time when its situation is inching close to the brink of war.”  According to the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman:

The U.S. reportedly let its B-52 deployed on Guam make sortie to the Korean Peninsula on Mar. 19 in the wake of its sortie made on Mar. 8.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defence Carter visited south Korea on March 18, where he was closeted with south Korean puppet Minister of Defence Kim Kwan Jin over “south Korea-U.S. joint reaction” to the DPRK’s threat. There Carter said that B-52 would be involved in the U.S.-south Korea joint military drills on Mar. 19 to demonstrate the U.S. will to defend south Korea and that such sorties would continue in the future.

It is an unpardonable provocation against the DPRK to sound out its strongest will that the U.S. is introducing a strategic nuclear strike means into the Korean Peninsula at a time when its situation is inching close to the brink of war.

The DPRK is now closely watching the move of B-52, and the hostile forces will never escape its strong military counteraction, should the strategic bomber make such sortie to the peninsula again.

Kim Jong Un Commands Artillery Drill and Attends Performance by State Merited Chorus

Kim Jong Un watches live artillery exercises by an undisclosed KPA unit (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 25 February (Monday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) commanded live fire artillery drills and watched a performance by the State Merited Chorus.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his guidance of military exercises by Korean People’s Army [KPA] Large Combined Unit (taeyonhap pudae) #630 and elements of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces.  Kim Jong Un’s first visit was to an undisclosed KPA unit ordered, according to KCNA, “to conduct an artillery firing drill in order to examine the capability of artillery units to fight an actual war.”  Attending the exercises were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission) Lt. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Commander of V Army Corps), Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju, Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song, Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol, Gen. Yun Tong Hyon, Col. Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau), Col. Gen. O Il Jong (Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Military Affairs Department), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy (1st Vice) Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Ri Jae Il (Senior Deputy (1st Vice) Director of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation Department) along with Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon, Yun Tong Hui, Kim Taek Gu, Pak Tong Hak, Rim Kwang Il, Ra Chong Il and Hong Yong Chil.

View of artillery exercises ordered and observed by Kim Jong Un (Photos: KCNA)

KPA service members participate in live fire artillery exercises (L) and hit a target (R) (Photos: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un was briefed about the unnamed unit’s deployment and training, then ordered the exercises’ commencement.  According to KCNA “an endless barrage of shells were fired by artillery pieces on the “enemy’s positions,” their roar rocking heaven and earth, and all of them were enveloped in flames” and KJU “was satisfied with the shells accurately hitting the targets” and seeing “‘enemy positions’ in flames.”  Kim Jong Un “noted that if the drill leads to an actual battle, the enemies will be hit so hard by the retaliatory strikes of the infuriated powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu that they would not be able to raise their heads again” and “highly praised the artillerymen for their successful drill.”  According to KCNA KJU said that “he was examining the preparedness of units for an actual battle after issuing an order all of a sudden, adding that the drill once again convinced him that all the officers and men of the army are waiting for an order of the supreme commander for a final attack, keeping themselves in maximum alert” and “ set forth important tasks to be carried out by the army to make thorough preparations to go into action.”  KJU also “clarified in detail issues of further modernizing the artillery force to cope with the escalating reckless maneuvers of the enemies for a war of aggression” and “emphasized that the artillerymen should always be ready to open fire to hit the targets anytime an order is issued and deal merciless blows at the enemies when they preempt firing.”

Kim Jong Un also inspected “military hardware newly developed by the army” before attending a commemorative photograph session with KPA service members and officers who participated in the exercises.

Kim Jong Un participates in a commemorative photo session after live fire artillery exercises (Photos: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (1st row, 3rd R) attends a performance by the State Merited Chorus at the People’s Theater in Pyongyang. Also seen in the 1st row are: Kim Kyong Ok (L), VMar Kim Yong Chun (2nd L) VMar Choe Ryong Hae (3rd L) Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (2nd R) and Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un’s next reported public appearance was his attendance of a concert by the State Merited Chorus (Merited State Choir) at the People’s Theater in central Pyongyang.  Attending the concert with him was the same group of KPA senior commanders that observed the live fire artillery exercises, with the addition of VMar Kim Jong Gak.  The State Merited Chorus performed a concert title “Korea Does What It is Determined to Do” and KJU watched it with KPA service members and officers.  The chorus’ concert was also performed on 22 February (Friday) for participants in the 12 February 2013 nuclear test, as part of their ongoing visit to Pyongyang.  The concert began with an instrumental and chorus “Song of the Korean People’s Army.”  KCNA reported that other songs performed included “The Glorious Motherland,” “The General Will Live Forever as the Sun,” “We Will Defend Marshal Kim Jong Un with Our Lives,” “Korea Does What It is Determined to Do” and “Peace is Guaranteed by Our Arms” and that the “performers sang high praises of boundless reverence for the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, who built up the strong national power of Military-First (So’ngun) Korea, and matchless courage and grit and outstanding leadership art of Kim Jong Un, who is steering the all-out action of all service personnel and people to protect the sovereignty of the country.”

Kim Jong Un said, “The performance of the chorus makes everybody feel refreshed and reminds one of the volley firing by multiple rocket launch system, adding that it once again reinforced the belief that one should carry on the revolution, tightly holding arms,” according to KCNA and he “expressed his expectation and conviction that the creators and artistes of the State Merited Chorus would inspire the service personnel and people to wage a dynamic struggle for a final victory in the future, too through its revolutionary and militant performing activities.”

The same State Merited Chorus performance watched by personnel involved in the DPRK’s third nuclear test.

Concert by the State Merited Chorus entitled “Korea Does What It is Determined to Do” at the People’s Theater in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Ceremony Held in Hamhu’ng to Deliver MLRS

A Nyomaeng-ho MLRS rolls through Hamhu’ng Square during a presentation ceremony held on 12 November 2012. Seen in the background is the Hamhu’ng Grand Theater (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 12 November (Monday) that multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] were delivered to Korean People’s Army [KPA] units after a ceremony held in Hamhu’ng, the capital of South Hamgyo’ng Province.  The Nyomaeng-ho (lady [tiger]) model MRLS were deployed to the KPA to commemorate the country’s Mothers’ Day (Friday, 16 November) and 4th National Meeting of Mothers.  According to KCNA, the MRLS were assembled “through a dynamic good conduct movement of the organizations and members of the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea (DWUK; Korean Democratic Women’s Union) across the country.”  The ceremony was held in Hamhu’ng Square and was attended by Chief Secretary of the South Hamgyo’ng Korean Workers’ Party Provincial Committee Tae Jong Su (T’ae Chong-su), Chairman of the South Hamgyo’ng Provincial People’s Committee Jon Kwang Ho and “officials concerned, service persons of the KPA and members of the women’s union.”

Ro Song Sil, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea delivers a speech presenting Nyomaeng-ho MLRS to the KPA on 12 November 2012. Also seen in attendance is Tae Jong Su (2nd R), Chief Secretary of the South Hamgyong KWP Provincial Committee (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

Ro Song Sil hands a presentation certificated on behalf of the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea to a KPA officer (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

Chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea Ro Song Sil delivered the ceremony’s “presentation” speech.  Other ceremony participants who spoke “noted that the presentation of the military equipment to the army is an expression of the ardent loyalty and patriotism by the mothers in Military-first (so’ngun) Korea to add glory to the immortal exploits performed by Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for the army building and to make contributions to powerfully demonstrating the might of the powerful Paektusan revolutionary army,” and “called upon all the women to take active part in diverse mass movements and the do-good-thing movement helpful to the building of an economic power and the improvement of the people’s living standard and make devoted efforts for society and the collective, bearing Kim Jong Il’s patriotism in mind,” according to KCNA.  At end of the ceremony, MRLS passed through Hamhu’ng Square  ”amid warm send-off of women’s union members in Hamhu’ng City. “

Nyomaeng-ho MRLS pass though Hamhu’ng Square after a 12 November 2012 presentation ceremony (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

The city centre of Hamhu’ng, capital of South Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: Google image)

A similar MLRS presentation ceremony was held in Hamhu’ng on 19 April 2012.  During that ceremony Sonyon-ho and Nyomaeng-ho models, jointly produced by the women’s union and the Kim Il Sung Youth League, were presented to the KPA.  The women’s union staged a similar presentation ceremony of the Nyomaeng-ho MLRS on 22 July 2003 in Pyongyang.  At that ceremony, part of commemorations for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War), the then-head of the women’s union Pak Sun Hui said in her speech that “that the servicepersons of the People’s Army would effectively use those launch systems associated with the faith and will of the Korean mothers to firmly defend the socialist country and shower the fire of revenge on the intruders into this land.”

It is not clear why two MLRS ceremonies in 2012 have been held in Hamhu’ng.  The most plausible reason is that the vehicles’ production process was completed in South Hamgyo’ng Province.  A 3 October 2000 ceremony at which DPRK schoolchildren presented 55 Sonyon-model trucks to the KPA was held in To’kch’o'n, South P’yo’ngan Province.  To’kch’o'n is the locale for Su’ngri Motor Plant, which produces the Sonyon truck.

Views of the Nyomaeng-ho MLRS

(Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

(Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

(Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

(Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

(Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

(Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

Missiles and Missile Accessories

On 15 April 2012, during a military parade commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth, six (6) transporter erector launchers [TELs] ferried six new mobile missiles through KIS Square, which have been dubbed the KN-08.  Some observers have claimed that the missiles paraded through Pyongyang were showpieces.  Markus Schiller and Robert Schumucker wrote:

The question is now if these mock-ups were modeled after a real design that is still hiding behind the curtain, or if the whole presentation was staged just for show, to celebrate Kim Il Sung’s 100th birthday and to gain some strategic leverage.

Judging from other insights about the North Korean missile program, the latter seems more likely. Nonetheless, close monitoring of future developments is advised.

Only once a North Korean ICBM lifts off the pad for the first time, as a proof of concept for the design’s functionality, the development work really starts. After that, it will take many years and many, many flights to arrive at a deployable and operational ICBM force, since the development of a modern ICBM is extremely demanding. To put things into perspective: The development of the Soviet/Russian Topol-M ICBM is said to have cost 142.8 billion Rubles (in 1992 prices – at that time, the Ruble exchange rate was around one US Dollar). Looking at the Musudan missile’s “development history” – not a single launch –, and considering North Korea’s poor situation in every dimension, it seems unlikely that this first launch will ever happen.

For now, the ICBM presentation was nothing else than a nice dog and pony show.

Nick Hansen writing on 38 North offers a different analysis:

While some analysts have also concluded that the missile’s warhead—about 2.5 meters long and tapered—is fake, it actually resembles that found on the Nodong-A medium range missile already fielded by the North. Even if it is not an operational weapon, the real warhead will likely be about the same length and diameter. This conclusion is based on the dimensions and shape of the transporter’s erection arms and its front brush guard. The erection arms run parallel with the missile’s sides and are attached to the clamp that holds the missile in place when traveling. The brush guard provides protection to the warhead during off-road operations and outlines its shape.

There are other considerations that point to the displayed missiles as part of a process to develop a new weapon. For example, the serial numbers painted on the side of each missile indicate that the missiles come from two production series. The small differences in those missiles indicate that flaws may have been discovered and improvements made, indicating an ongoing process of development. Also, the KN-08 TEL was real and clearly specifically designed for this missile, representing a significant investment of time, effort, and money. Finally, while analysts who believe the missile was fake have argued that the KN-08, if liquid fueled, would not suitable for a land mobile launcher, they neglect the fact that the North already has an operational liquid fueled missile: the Nodong-B, which is 17 meters long, only a few meters shorter than the KN-08.

In summary, the KN-08 missiles observed in the April 15th parade may, in fact, be part of a developmental process for fielding a new three stage liquid fueled missile with a longer-range than the Musudan. Whether it will eventually be able to achieve the 10,000 km range of an ICBM is to be seen. That will depend, not just on further developments in DPRK missile technology, but also on the weight of the warhead that it will carry and, particular, whether or not the North will be able to reduce that weight through miniaturization of a nuclear payload.

Prior to the parade that concluded with the KN-08 march, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) delivered a speech in which he addressed the Strategic Rocket Force Command, along with the KPA’s three conventional military services and the Korean People’s Internal Security Force.  On 2 March 2012 DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un inspected the Strategic Rocket Force Command.  Prior to the SRFC’s creation, administration and command of KPA ballistic missile units resided with the Ballistic Missile Training Guidance Bureau (a.k.a. Artillery Guidance Bureau; Missile Bureau) and operational planning and control from the Operations Bureau, both directly subordinate to the KPA General Staff.

Daily NK reported on 19 April, four days after the parade, that SRFC represents a consolidation of the KPA’s missile units and  supply and training bureaus into a unified command organization directly subordinate to the National Defense Commission [NDC] and the KPA Supreme Command.  Prior to the SRFC’s creation, administration and command of KPA ballistic missile units resided with the Ballistic Missile Training Guidance Bureau (a.k.a. Artillery Guidance Bureau; Missile Bureau) and operational planning and control from the Operations Bureau, both directly subordinate to the KPA General Staff.  According to the article,  ”. . .there used to be a rocket corps included in the unit in charge of the whole artillery force, including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, but it appears now that it was separated.  After Kim Jong Un made the existence of the strategic rocket force known, a new missile of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) class showed up in a military parade. A military source stated, ‘With a diameter of 2 meters and a length of over 18 meters, the firing range of this missile is believed to be longer than that of the medium-range ‘Musudan’ ballistic missile’ (which is approximately 3,000-4,000 km). The emergence of the strategic rocket force is interpreted as North Korea’s will to further devote itself to improving rocket capabilities and developing ICBMs in the future. The United States and international society believe that North Korea’s ICBM technology is still too technically inadequate at atmospheric re-entry and target guidance technology to strike the US mainland.”

MRLs Sent to South Hamgyo’ng

MLRS vehicles parade through the city of centre of Hamhung on 19 April 2012 during a presentation ceremony (Photo: KCNA)

Multiple launch rocket systems [MLRS] were sent to Korean People’s Army [KPA] units in South Hamgyo’ng on the occasion of the official anniversary of the KPA’s foundation.  DPRK state media reported that a presentation ceremony was held in the provincial capital of Hamhu’ng on 19 April (Thursday).  According to KCNA some assembly of the MRLS was done by members of two Korean Worker’ Party Workers’ Organizations, the Korean Democratic Women’s Union [KDWU] and the Kim Il Sung Youth League.

KCNA reports:

Multiple-launch rocket systems “Sonyon-ho” and “Nyomaeng-ho” manufactured with the assistance of school youth and children and members of the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea (DWUK) across the country were presented to units of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) with due ceremony at Hamhung Square in South Hamgyong Province on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of the KPA.

Those rockets are associated with their will to remain true to the Party’s songun [military-first] revolutionary leadership generation after generation and their patriotic desire to make contributions to bolstering the nation’s defence capability.

Present at the ceremony were Jon Yong Nam, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League; Ro Song Sil, chairwoman of the C.C., DWUK; and officials concerned, service personnel of the KPA, school youth and children, members of the Women’s Union and people in the province.

Presentation addresses and speeches were made.

At the end of the ceremony the rocket systems left for units of the KPA amid warm send-off of school youth and children, women’s union members and other people in Hamhung City.