In June, a U.S. Army soldier captured video evidence revealing that North Korea’s claims of a successful multi-warhead missile test were actually false.
South Korean military officials announced today that Private Jeon Jun Woo from the Army’s 12th Division, Sangseonghyangro Bongyeong Brigade, received a commendation from the Chairman of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) for his role in uncovering and exposing the truth amid North Korea’s misleading claims.
On June 26, while monitoring with thermal imaging equipment for enemy forward surveillance, Private Jeon noticed a bright, spherical heat signature in the corner of his screen. He quickly identified this heat signature as a North Korean missile.
Initially, Jeon thought the heat signature might be the moon. However, recalling a recent warning from the division commander about overlooked heat signatures posing a significant threat, he decided to double-check. This led him to confirm the suspected missile launch.
Jeon credited his ability to identify the North Korean missile to the TOD operators who assisted in managing the situation, the command and control room personnel who acted swiftly, and the leaders who supported the team. “I remain committed to my duties as a soldier, dedicated to protecting our nation and its people from any threat,” he said.
The day after the launch, North Korea claimed success in its multi-warhead separation and guidance tests. This was the first time North Korea had publicly announced a multi-warhead missile test. However, South Korean military officials quickly disproved North Korea’s claims using surveillance equipment, revealing the missile test as a failure with abnormal flight patterns and mid-air explosions.
According to the JCS, South Korea had detected signs of North Korean missile preparations in advance and monitored the situation closely. Radar and ground surveillance assets picked up the launched missile around 5:30 a.m. on June 26.
Military sources reported that the TOD footage captured by Private Jeon showed no signs of successful warhead separation. They also confirmed the missile’s condition through other surveillance tools.
On June 28, the JCS released TOD footage of the North Korean missile shaking violently during the ascent. Unlike the typical straight trajectory of missiles, this one lost its balance and began tumbling erratically in the air. Another video showed the missile exploding mid-air into numerous fragments after catching fire.
Reflecting on his duties, Private Jeon said, “I’ve always approached my role with the mindset that the enemy could strike at any moment. This awareness is heightened by recent North Korean actions like sending trash balloons and launching missiles.”
He added, “I approach each day with the thought that the enemy might use balloons, launch missiles, or deploy drones.”
When asked about memorable experiences, Jeon recalled seeing North Korean troops transporting personnel on motorcycles via surveillance equipment. “I felt confident in our military’s superior equipment and believed it would give us the edge in any confrontation,” he said.
