It appears that North Korea is adding operational missions to its front-line units and amending its operational plans.



An analysis is being raised that the front-line unit will operate a new short-range four-piece set, such as a new tactical guided weapon capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, and revise the operational plan.



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the 3rd expanded meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea on the 22nd, following the 21st, and discussed the addition of operational missions for front-line units, amendments to the operational plan, and issues of reorganization of the military organization. Communications announced today.



"In accordance with the party's military and strategic intentions, we discussed issues related to the reorganization of the important military organization and the project to further confirm the operational missions of the front units of the Korean People's Army and revise the operational plan," the KCNA reported.



Next, the Ministry of the Army General Staff conducted a study and discussion on the issue under the guidance of the vice chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, compiled the results, prepared a document, and reported it to the Party Central Military Commission, the news agency explained.



"Chairman Kim expressed the strategic view and determination of the Party Central Committee that is taking important military measures to enhance the operational capabilities of front-line units," the KCNA reported. I made a statement,” he said.



However, it did not disclose the details of the added front unit operational missions, the revision of the operational plan, and the direction of the reorganization of the military organization.



The discussion on the additional confirmation of operational missions for the front (front) units and the revision of the operational plan is analyzed to be related to the operation of short-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, such as a new tactical guided weapon that was test-fired under the observation of Chairman Kim in April.



When the new tactical guided weapon was test-fired under Chairman Kim's observation, the North Korean media argued that it would "reinforce the effectiveness of tactical nuclear operation and the diversification of firepower missions", suggesting that short-range ballistic missiles could be equipped with tactical nuclear weapons.



In the future, tactical nuclear weapons will be operated by the front-line artillery units, and it has revealed that it plans to deploy short-range nuclear-delivery means extensively at the forefront.



The KCNA released a photo of Ri Tae-seop, chief of the General Staff of the Army, who oversees military operations, hanging up an operational map with the east coast axis in front of Chairman Kim and explaining it.



Enlarging an image


The map in the photo is mosaic, but judging from the outline of the map, it is the southern east coast axis to Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do.



It is presumed that the North Korean military power by type that can strike the southern region was marked on the map, or the deployment power of the South Korean and USFK forces was marked on the map.



In August 2017, North Korea also reported the scene of Chairman Kim receiving a report on how to siege Guam, and has been trying to exert pressure on the South by exposing the map of the 'South Korean Operation Zone' hung inside the command post as it is.



On the other hand, the Central News Agency reported today as "the vice-chairmen of the Party Central Military Commission," confirming that the current vice-chairman of the Party Central Military Commission is a plural system.



Considering the seating arrangement of Park Jeong-cheon and Ri Byung-cheol on either side of Chairman Kim in the published photo, it is estimated that two people will serve as vice-chairmen.



At the party plenary meeting in July last year, it was confirmed that Ri Byung-chul was dismissed from all his previous positions after being reprimanded for sabotage related to the quarantine mission, but returned to the Politburo Standing Committee at the military parade in April. It seems that he also regained the position of vice chairman of the Party Central Military Commission.



This is the first time that two vice-chairmen of the Party Central Military Commission have been established since Kim Jong-un took power.



Previously, the position of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Party was vacant from 2014 until Ri Pyong-chol was appointed in May 2020.



In addition, the news agency announced that the meeting was still in progress, saying, "The Party Central Military Commission continues to discuss the proposed agenda."



It is unusual for an extended meeting of the Party Central Military Commission to be held for more than two days like this one.



(Photo = Chosun Central News, Yonhap News)