Is North Korea Deploying Nuclear-Capable Missiles to Forward Frontline Units?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported on the 23rd that Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, recently presided over the 3rd Enlarged Meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party and discussed revisions to the operational plans of frontline units. There is increasing weight to the possibility of forward-deploying short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) equipped with small nuclear warheads to the frontline units.

According to the news agency, the meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party discussed the operational missions and revisions to operational plans of the frontline units. Although not disclosed in detail, it is analyzed that the operational plans are being revised to operate short-range missiles equipped with small nuclear warheads in the frontline units.

Earlier this month, North Korea launched eight short-range ballistic missiles. The missiles launched from four locations included the KN-23 (North Korean version of Iskander), KN-24 (North Korean version of ATACMS), KN-25 (super-large multiple rocket launcher), and a new tactical guided weapon first test-fired on April 16. These missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads if the miniaturization of nuclear warheads is proven successful through the 7th nuclear test.

In April, North Korea announced that it would operate tactical nuclear weapons in frontline artillery units, publicly revealing plans to widely deploy short-range nuclear delivery systems at the frontline.

North Korea convened an enlarged meeting of the Party Central Military Commission on the 21st, which has been ongoing for more than two days. This is the first enlarged meeting of the Party Central Military Commission in about a year since June 11 of last year. Given that North Korea has completed the 'physical preparations' for the 7th nuclear test, there is growing interest in whether messages related to the nuclear test will emerge from this meeting.