Live-Fire Training Restrictions Practically Lifted [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Following naval firing, forward artillery live-fire training conducted
Army deploys K-9 self-propelled howitzers at Chilseong and Jeokgeori firing ranges

The military has resumed live-fire artillery training near the land border area following the maritime zone. This effectively nullifies the enforcement of the agreement in almost all areas for the first time in about six years since the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement. It means that our military can now undertake military actions corresponding to North Korea's hostile acts.

According to military sources on the 2nd, the Army conducted live-fire training at Chilseong firing range in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, and Jeokgeori firing range in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. These firing ranges are located within 5 km south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). At Chilseong firing range, six 105mm K105A1 wheeled self-propelled howitzers were deployed, and at Jeokgeori firing range, six K-9 self-propelled howitzers were mobilized.

Last Year, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Restored Along with Land and Maritime Firing Drills

The September 19 Military Agreement is a supplementary agreement to the 'September Pyongyang Joint Declaration' adopted during the summit between former President Moon Jae-in and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un on September 19, 2018. The agreement includes provisions such as ▲ establishment of land and maritime buffer zones ▲ withdrawal of forward surveillance posts (GPs) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) ▲ establishment of no-fly zones in the frontline areas ▲ demilitarization of the Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom ▲ joint excavation of Korean War casualties between the South and North ▲ peaceful use of the Han River estuary. Since North Korea launched a reconnaissance satellite last November, provisions aimed at easing military tensions?such as the no-fly zone, pilot withdrawal of GPs within the DMZ, demilitarization of the JSA, and land and maritime buffer zones?have effectively been nullified.

The first provision to be nullified was surveillance and reconnaissance within the no-fly zone. North Korea has continuously violated the September 19 Military Agreement and conducted provocations, and last November, it unilaterally declared the complete termination of the agreement. Subsequently, our government suspended the enforcement of the no-fly zone clause (Article 1, Paragraph 3) of the September 19 Agreement in proportion to North Korea's military reconnaissance satellite launch and restored aerial surveillance and reconnaissance activities.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Surveillance and reconnaissance involve platforms such as the Global Hawk (RQ-4), Geumgang and Baekdu (RC-800), and Saemae (RF-16) reconnaissance aircraft. Our military has independently collected video intelligence over North Korean inland areas using the Global Hawk. A video intelligence processing system (target shooting → interpretation → information transmission) has been introduced to acquire and interpret video intelligence. Additionally, reconnaissance aircraft such as Geumgang and Baekdu (RC-800) and Saemae (RF-16) are deployed. The RF-16, nicknamed 'Saemae,' flies over the airspace near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and Northern Limit Line (NLL), collecting video intelligence related to North Korean forces. The Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft, upgraded in 2017, can detect North Korea's electronic intelligence (Elint) and communications intelligence (Comint), capturing equipment operations like radar activation and the content of wired and wireless communications. Through these surveillance devices, video intelligence is collected from South Korean airspace to the North Korean Nampo-Hamhung line.

Firing Ranges Within 5 km of MDL Effectively Fully Permitted

Maritime firing drills also began last month. The Northwest Islands Defense Command (hereafter NWIDC) subordinate Marine Corps 6th Brigade and Yeonpyeong Unit conducted maritime firing training on Baengnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo respectively on the 26th of last month. The NWIDC is commanded concurrently by Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan, and the 6th Brigade and Yeonpyeong Unit are stationed on the northwest islands of Baengnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo respectively. During maritime firing drills, the 6th Regiment and Yeonpyeong Unit fired a total of about 290 rounds, including K9 self-propelled howitzers, Cheonmu multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), Spike missiles, and 2.75-inch (70mm) guided rockets (Bigung), targeting virtual targets in the southwestern open sea.

Land-based live-fire training ranges include Story firing range (Paju, Gyeonggi Province), Cheonmiri firing range (Yanggu County, Gangwon Province), Jeokgeori firing range (Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province), Chilseong firing range (Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province), and Songjiho firing range (Goseong firing range, Goseong County, Gangwon Province). These are firing ranges located within 5 km of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which is a buffer zone for hostile acts.

However, the issue lies with Songjiho firing range. The Songjiho firing range on the East Coast is considered the only training ground where live-fire training with the 230mm-class next-generation multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) Cheonmu, which has a maximum range of 80 km, can be conducted. It is a location where the Army's 8th Corps K-9 self-propelled howitzers, K-55A1 self-propelled howitzers, KH-179 towed howitzers, as well as the Navy's 76mm naval guns can fire. The military publicly conducted live-fire training at Songjiho firing range in 2016 and 2017 to deter North Korean provocations. However, under the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, the firing direction at Songjiho had to be turned southward, toward areas south of Sokcho. The problem is that a 10-story hotel is located just 30 meters from the Songjiho position, preventing live-fire exercises.

Loudspeaker Broadcasts Toward North Korea Remain the Last Response Option

Our military is even considering loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea as the last remaining card. The military resumed loudspeaker broadcasts in the border area on the 9th of last month but has not operated the loudspeakers since then. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has repeatedly stated, "Psychological warfare broadcasts toward North Korea are ready to be implemented immediately. They will be flexibly conducted depending on strategic and operational situations, and this depends on North Korea's actions."

A military official said, "We plan to continue large-scale joint outdoor maneuver training near the MDL, which was not conducted under the September 19 Agreement," adding, "We intend to keep sending warning signals to North Korea, which is escalating complex provocations and increasing military cooperation with Russia."