North Korea resumed its frontline border fortification work earlier this month in line with its two-state theory policy aimed at emphasizing hostility with South Korea. Due to excessive operations, a landmine explosion reportedly occurred, resulting in numerous casualties.
South Korea’s military has officially confirmed that North Korea has sent over 3,000 additional troops to Russia this year and continues to provide missiles, artillery, and ammunition as military support.
The Republic of Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated on Thursday that “work in frontline areas, which had been temporarily suspended late last year due to winter training, resumed in early March, with dozens to hundreds of personnel deployed to previously worked regions to reinforce barriers isolating the North.”
The JCS added, “A few days ago, multiple casualties occurred due to a landmine explosion. The incident happened because the troops forced the operation without ready replacements.” This was the first confirmed case this year, with approximately 20 incidents reported throughout 2024.
The JCS also said, “During close operations near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) north of the border, we are closely monitoring North Korean military activities in anticipation of potential MDL violations, as we did in 2024.”
Since April 2024, North Korea has deployed troops to its front lines to lay landmines and construct presumed anti-tank structures as part of its steady border fortification efforts. Operations were halted in late December due to extreme cold and the commencement of winter training.
During this process, incidents such as North Korean troops crossing the MDL and retreating after warning shots from South Korea and landmine explosions during work in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) have occurred multiple times.
Regarding removing transmission towers along the Gyeongui Line, the JCS noted, “Demolition of 11 towers inside the DMZ has been completed, but the first tower just north of the MDL remains. As expected, one surveillance CCTV camera was installed and is operational as of early February.” They added, “While this does not directly threaten our defensive operations, there is a risk that our activities could be exposed to North Korean forces, so we are maintaining our posture and readiness accordingly.”
The JCS also explained that “removing materials from the Kaesong Industrial Complex’s support center building has been ongoing for several months since December last year. We closely monitor future developments in coordination with relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Unification.”
They added, “However, GPS jamming activities, likely intended to strengthen air defense readiness, have continued since October 2024. Signal disruption incidents have been reported among some of our naval vessels, civilian ships, and aircraft.”
On North Korean troop deployments to Russia, the JCS stated, “Of the roughly 11,000 troops sent, about 4,000 have become casualties. Over 3,000 additional troops were deployed as reinforcements in January and February.”
They added, “Support continues in personnel, missiles, artillery, and ammunition. We estimate significant supplies of short-range ballistic missiles, 170mm self-propelled guns, and 240mm multiple rocket launchers, totaling about 220 units, have been provided, with potential for increase based on the conflict’s developments.”
The JCS assessed North Korea’s winter training since December has been less intensive than usual, despite Kim Jong Un’s emphasis on modern warfare preparation during recent military visits.
They noted, “Recent training assessments are ongoing, and we anticipate possible shows of force. The reduced training intensity likely stems from various factors, including local construction projects, border fortification work, preparation for additional Russian deployments, and persistent energy shortages.”
The JCS analyzed Kim Jong Un’s recent visits to two military education institutions, likely in response to the ideological and moral laxity among the North Korean military. The visits aim to rally military unity during internal and external instability, block the inflow of South Korean culture and other foreign influences, and prevent the spread of news about heavy troop casualties.
Regarding the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise “Freedom Shield” (FS), the JCS noted that North Korea has issued more than ten statements and commentaries and emphasized that “a variety of strategic and tactical provocations are expected, and we are reinforcing surveillance and readiness.” They added, “We are closely monitoring for potential launches of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs), and short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) through South Korea-U.S. intelligence cooperation.”
As for North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite, which whahas notebeen launchednce a failed attempt in May last year, the JCS said, “North Korea appears to be continuing technical improvements with Russian support. However, no signs of an imminent launch have been detected.”
The JCS explained that while Kim Jong Un announced plans for three satellite launches in 2024, they prioritize technical improvements over hasty launches. The situation remains under close surveillance.