The South Korean military is closely monitoring developments after the North Korean military ordered artillery units near the border to be at full combat readiness. In response, the South Korean military is also taking necessary precautions.
On Monday, a South Korean military official stated, “We are closely monitoring North Korean military movements, and we have established the necessary defensive posture.”
However, the official explained that they could not confirm whether North Korean artillery units near the border had actually completed their combat preparations or whether South Korea had raised its alert level.
The official explained that revealing such information could play into North Korea’s strategic plans.
North Korea’s escalated military posture comes after it accused South Korea of sending drones over Pyongyang’s Jung District on October 3, 9, and 10, allegedly distributing anti-regime propaganda leaflets. On Sunday, the North announced that artillery units near the border had been ordered to maintain full combat readiness.
Along with these accusations, North Korea claimed to have bolstered anti-air surveillance posts around Pyongyang, a claim that South Korean military sources deemed plausible given recent activity.
The North’s aggressive rhetoric, combined with recent military provocations, has significantly raised the risk of clashes between the two Koreas.
On October 8, North Korea announced it had conducted a test-firing of a 240mm multiple rocket launcher capable of hitting targets up to 67 kilometers away. South Korea’s military detected and tracked around ten artillery rounds launched toward the West Sea then.
The 240mm rocket launcher is considered a key weapon aimed at Seoul and has been referenced in past threats to turn the city into a sea of fire.
Meanwhile, starting earlier in the day, South Korean Air Force reconnaissance aircraft have been conducting surveillance activities over Gangneung in Gangwon Province and Seosan in South Chungcheong Province. The exact type of aircraft is unknown as it did not broadcast its call sign.