[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Troops and Equipment Re-deployed Inside North Korean GP

First Military Action Since the Declaration of Termination of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement

It has been revealed that North Korean troops have redeployed personnel and equipment to forward observation posts (GPs) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and are installing observation posts.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A military official disclosed this to reporters on the 27th and released photos taken by our military’s surveillance equipment. The photos released by the military show ▲ North Korean troops installing observation posts ▲ deploying what is presumed to be recoilless rifles at the position ▲ and troops standing night guard duty. The official stated, "Previously, before the GPs were destroyed, there were observation posts (watch posts), and it is presumed they are rebuilding those." He added, "They made white wooden structures and painted them with camouflage patterns." He explained, "After the GPs were destroyed, all personnel and equipment withdrew, but we also saw North Korean troops carrying equipment away." He further explained, "Originally, there were heavy weapons such as recoilless rifles and anti-aircraft guns inside the GPs, and a scene was identified where they were carrying what North Korea calls 'bi-bandongchong' (recoilless rifles)." He continued, "Using thermal imaging equipment at night, we also identified North Korean troops standing guard duty at the position."

The military disclosed North Korean troop movements through photos taken with cameras and thermal imaging equipment at a GP located on the eastern front that had been destroyed following the September 19 military agreement. A military official said, "All 11 North Korean GPs that were destroyed or withdrawn under the military agreement are in similar situations." Regarding the installation of observation posts, the official said, "Since the 24th, we have started to see signs of restoration of GP-related facilities," adding, "Observation posts are essential guard facilities, so we expect all 11 locations to be rebuilt. The surrounding guard posts will be the same."

According to the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement signed five years ago, 10 out of 11 GPs operated within the DMZ by each side were completely destroyed, and one GP each had personnel and equipment withdrawn but the original structure preserved. As a result, the number of GPs within the DMZ decreased from about 160 to 150 on the North Korean side and from about 60 to 50 on the South Korean side.

In response to North Korea’s launch of a military reconnaissance satellite on the 21st, the South Korean government declared on the 22nd the nullification of the "no-fly zone establishment" clause (Article 1, Paragraph 3) of the September 19 military agreement, which limits our military’s forward observation and reconnaissance capabilities. In response, North Korea declared on the 23rd that it would no longer be bound by the September 19 military agreement and announced the termination of the agreement, stating it would immediately restore all military measures that had been suspended on land, sea, and air under the agreement. The deployment of troops to the withdrawn GPs by North Korean forces is interpreted as a follow-up measure to the declaration of the termination of the military agreement, intended to raise military tensions in the forward areas.

A military official said, "Since they announced the termination of the September 19 military agreement, it is seen as part of that to restore existing GP facilities." Regarding the restoration of GPs, the official said, "We need to observe to what extent this will proceed," adding, "Since they are made of wood, it seems to be temporary. Barracks and support facilities are located on the rear slope, and some of these are also identifiable."

Regarding heavy weapons inside North Korean GPs, he explained, "Weapons similar to recoilless rifles have been identified," and added, "Anti-aircraft guns and others are not currently visible, but it is presumed they have all been brought in." Another military official commented on North Korean movements beyond GP restoration, saying, "The number of coastal artillery openings has increased significantly," adding, "Previously, there were about two guns per site on average, but now the number has increased considerably."

A Ministry of National Defense official added regarding the coastal artillery openings, "The number has increased several times from single digits to double digits per site."