National Intelligence Service: "North Korea Completes Preparation of 'Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site and ICBM Launch Pad'"

The National Intelligence Service under the Ministry of National Defense stated on the 30th that "the internal preparations at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site appear to be complete" regarding the possibility of North Korea's 7th nuclear test. Concerning North Korean troops deployed to Russia, it explained that "there is a likelihood that some advance units have been deployed to the front lines."

Lee Seong-gwon of the People Power Party and Park Seon-won of the Democratic Party, who are the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties on the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, reported that the Defense Intelligence Headquarters made this report during the intelligence committee's national audit held at the National Assembly on the same day.

The Defense Intelligence Headquarters stated, "(North Korea) appears to have nearly completed preparations for long-range ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and space launch vehicles," adding, "However, they are not yet mounted on launch pads."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It further said, "Although we cannot specify the location, mobile missile launchers are deployed in certain areas," and predicted, "There could be launches to verify ICBM technology for atmospheric re-entry. The timing is expected to be around the November U.S. presidential election."

Regarding the possibility of North Korean advance units being deployed to the Russia-Ukraine war front, it stated, "There is no accurate information that North Korean troops deployed have been sent to the front lines yet." However, it added, "There seems to be a likelihood that some advance units have been deployed to the front lines," and "It is true that movement to battlefields such as Kursk is imminent."

In response to foreign media reports that North Korean troops have been deployed to the battlefield and casualties have occurred, it added, "There is no information to support that."

Regarding North Korea-Russia relations, it analyzed, "The blood alliance relationship is fundamentally changing, and in the process, mutual support is being exchanged to strengthen defense capabilities," and "It is especially judged that North Korea will pursue not only the adoption of Russia's space and advanced military technology but also the modernization of conventional forces."