Is More Support Coming for Units Related to ICBMs and Reconnaissance Satellites?
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea announced that it has expanded and reorganized multiple units of the Korean People's Army. This is interpreted as a determination to strengthen related capabilities in line with the military sectors that North Korea will focus on in the future, including the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operation organization spotted at the recent military parade.
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated on the 13th, "Many branches and corps units of the People's Army have been expanded and reorganized in the administration that carries out the strong army-building ideology and line of the Workers' Party of Korea. Important operational combat missions have been assigned according to the new geopolitical environment, and the strategic and tactical missions of overall units have changed. The military flags have been revised to match the strategic missions of the Korean People's Army units at all levels, strengthened into the world's strongest revolutionary army."
North Korean soldiers wearing the 'Missile General Bureau' mark / Chosun Central TV Photo by Yonhap News
Although there was no mention of how the units were expanded and reorganized, the changes in unit organization and military flags can be inferred from the appearances captured during the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army on the 8th.
In the parade photos released by North Korean state media at the time, a military flag depicting the ICBM 'Hwasong-17' was identified. It is observed as a new ICBM operation organization, and the number '2022.11' written on the flag suggests it was established in November last year.
The military flag of the 11th Corps, which had not appeared in past parades, was also seen lined up next to Chairman Kim Jong-un. This unit, known as the so-called 'Storm Corps,' is recognized as the elite special forces within the People's Army. North Korean media reported at the time that "special operations corps also marched." There was also mention that "specialized soldiers, including the 191st Command Information Brigade (regiment) company, participated in the parade," which is a unit responsible for command, communications, and intelligence. This appears to indicate an intention to strengthen capabilities related to the reconnaissance satellite launch scheduled by North Korea in April.
Prior to the parade, at the expanded meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party held on the 6th, a military flag labeled 'Missile General Bureau' was spotted for the first time. This unit, whose flag also appeared at the parade, is analyzed as an organization responsible for procuring, producing, and managing materials necessary for nuclear and missile development. Judging by the numbers seen on the flag, it is estimated to have been reorganized in 2016. Authorities believe that the missile general bureau, formerly under the Second Economic Committee and responsible for missiles, was expanded into the Rocket Industry Department and later renamed the current Missile General Bureau.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
