National Assembly Intelligence Committee's Morning Inquiry at National Intelligence Service Audit
Report on Unusual Movements of North Korea's Kim Jong-un Family... 'Previous Generation Deleted'
Reports on North Korea-Russia Relations and Possibility of 7th Nuclear Test
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on the peculiar activities of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s family, the relationship between Russia and North Korea, and the possibility of a seventh nuclear test during the National Assembly Intelligence Committee’s inspection.
On the 29th, employees are waiting for the audit committee members of the National Assembly inspection at the National Intelligence Service in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae Father and Daughter Increasing Their Voices Within North Korea
Lee Seong-gwon of the People Power Party and Park Seon-won of the Democratic Party, the floor leaders of the Intelligence Committee, shared the details with reporters after completing the morning session of the closed-door inspection held on the afternoon of the 29th at the NIS in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. According to the floor leaders, the NIS stated, "This year, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, has made 110 public appearances so far, which is an increase of more than 60% compared to last year," and added, "Security measures have been heightened due to concerns about assassination attempts on Chairman Kim."
Additionally, "The so-called Juche calendar (Juche era) has been discontinued, and Kim Jong-un is repeatedly emphasizing revolutionary history studies to replace the incompetence of his predecessors Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il," and "measures to idolize Kim Jong-un independently (獨自) are being strengthened." The Juche calendar is a year notation system based on the birth year of President Kim Il-sung. Recently, under Kim Jong-un’s regime, North Korea has been differentiating itself from its predecessors by promoting the hostile two-state theory between South and North Korea and blowing up the inter-Korean connecting roads on the Gyeongui and Donghae lines.
The NIS said, "Kim Ju-ae is expanding her range of activities to party events while controlling her exposure frequency, and her status seems to have been somewhat elevated as she receives guidance from Kim Yo-jong or assistance from Choe Son-hui." It added, "There are scenes of her having direct conversations with the Russian ambassador, releasing ‘two-shot photos’ of Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae together, and being accompanied by dedicated bodyguards, indicating a solid position."
Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Intelligence Service, is attending the National Assembly Intelligence Committee's audit of the National Intelligence Service held at the National Intelligence Service in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Close North Korea-Russia Ties... Possibility of Reconnaissance Satellite Relaunch
There was also a Q&A regarding the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and their training in the Russian Far East. The NIS said, "The transfer of troops between North Korea and Russia is underway," and "We are keeping open the possibility of frontline movement of some personnel, including high-ranking military officers, and are verifying this." It estimated that about 3,000 North Korean soldiers are currently deployed and training. It is understood that the total number of troops to be deployed by the end of the year will be about 10,900. While there is a possibility that they have moved to Kursk, a southwestern border area of Russia, it is not yet possible to definitively determine the movement or scale.
The NIS analyzed that there could be communication issues between Russia and North Korea in the future. The NIS stated, "The Russian military is teaching about 100 Russian military terms to North Korean soldiers, but it is rumored that the North Korean troops are struggling." It is known that Russia is translating and teaching about 100 military terms such as 'location,' 'shelling,' and 'launch' in Russian to the North Korean military.
Internal information control related to the troop deployment is also believed to be taking place. The NIS said, "The use of mobile phones by officers is prohibited due to military secrecy," and "There are signs of information control within the dispatched units, and families of deployed soldiers are being falsely told that they are going for training." It also reported, "Despite these control measures, news of the deployment is spreading within North Korea, and there are signs of unrest among residents questioning 'Why sacrifice for another country?'"
The NIS forecasted the possibility of launches of hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) and large intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in relation to future provocations by North Korea. The NIS said, "North Korea appears to be ready to relaunch the reconnaissance satellite that failed last May through the purchase of advanced components and technological cooperation with Russia," and "We are closely monitoring with the possibility of a seventh nuclear test in mind after the U.S. presidential election."
NIS Partially Acknowledges the Need for Observer Groups and Interrogation Teams
The NIS partially acknowledged the necessity of sending observer groups or interrogation teams, as suggested by some. The NIS stated, "Neither our government nor the NIS has used the terms observer group or interrogation team," but "In terms of content, we can consider dispatching an organization that performs such functions."
However, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties conveyed different responses from the NIS regarding the observer groups. Lee Seong-gwon of the People Power Party said, "Because we need to understand and analyze the ongoing modern warfare, it is necessary to grasp the combat capabilities of the North Korean military," and "The NIS acknowledged the need for observer groups." In response, Park Seon-won of the Democratic Party said, "There was an intention behind the lawmaker’s question," and "The NIS has not yet taken any position on observer groups."
Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the National Assembly Intelligence Committee's audit of the National Intelligence Service held on the 29th at the National Intelligence Service in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and is conversing with Kim Nam-woo, the Chief of Staff. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
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