North Korea’s military and security agencies launched joint electronic warfare exercises following allegations of South Korean drone infiltration over Pyongyang. The drills, which began Oct. 16, are being conducted in six districts along North Korea’s northern and southern borders, according to a source in the North Korean military recently.
After an Oct. 14 meeting of defense and security officials, North Korea deployed electronic warfare units to six strategic locations across the country. The troops, from the General Staff Department’s electronic warfare bureau, are conducting joint exercises with local specialists from the Ministry of State Security’s electronic surveillance bureau in: Hoeryong (North Hamgyong province), Pochon county (Ryanggang province), Wiwon county (Chagang province), Sinuiju (North Pyongan province), Cholwon county (Kangwon province), and Pyongsan county (North Hwanghae province).
Although specialized personnel from the Ministry of State Security’s electronic surveillance bureau were already deployed to the border regions, the authorities have deployed additional electronic warfare troops from the KPA to hold joint exercises.
The source said that the electronic warfare troops are primarily tasked with detecting and blocking radio waves or signals leaking internal information abroad and erecting a digital wall to stop overseas radio waves or signals from entering the country.
The ultimate goal of the joint exercises is to strengthen the nation’s entire electronic warfare response since the claimed infiltration of South Korean drones over Pyongyang. Essentially, it is a strategic measure to block external threats through advanced technology.
“One electronic warfare regiment from the General Staff Department’s electronic warfare bureau has been divided between the northern and southern borders to carry out drills until Nov. 18,” the source said.
Along the northern border, where the Ministry of State Security’s electronic surveillance bureau has a base, personnel are carrying intensive drills to detect and block Chinese mobile phone signals. Along the southern border, where the ministry bureau has no base, personnel are training to jam outside signals and engage in electronic surveillance.
People living in the border regions have expressed fear and anxiety over the drills.
“It’s the first time the General Staff Department and Ministry of State Security have carried out these kinds of drills in the border regions,” the source said. “People are suspicious why the authorities are carrying out drills along the border with South Korea and the northern border at the same time.”
On Oct. 28, North Korean state media reported their defense ministry’s findings on South Korea’s alleged drone intrusion, claiming to have evidence of the drone’s flight details while issuing threats of “merciless offensive” if such incidents recur. Subsequently, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader, denied North Korean involvement in a separate incident where an unidentified drone reportedly scattered anti-Yoon leaflets over Seoul, while making provocative remarks toward South Korean officials.
Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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