August 22, 2024
North Korea's military strategy has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with a growing focus on targeting Seoul and Kyung-Gi province. This change in tactic is evident in the country's deployment of new weaponry, which is heavily concentrated in the vicinity of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
According to a report by the Diplomat, North Korea's
military doctrine has traditionally focused on targeting U.S. forces based in
South Korea and Japan. However, the country's recent military modernization
efforts suggest a shift towards a more asymmetric approach, with a greater
emphasis on targeting Seoul and its surrounding areas.
One of the key indicators of this shift is the deployment of new short-range missiles, which are capable of striking targets within a range of 100 kilometers with the capacity to launch tactical nuclear war heads. Multiple photos released by North Korean News media showed rows of olive-green TEL(Transporter Erector Launcher)s, which were suspected to be platforms for the "Hwasong-11," North Korea's close-range ballistic missile (CRBM) with a range of 100 kilometers and an operational altitude of 25 kilometers. The North Korean military has conducted several tests of this missile since April 2022. These missiles are specifically designed to annihilate Seoul and its surrounding areas with tactical nuclear war heads, and are seen as a key component of North Korea's military strategy.
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at a ceremony marking the delivery of 250 new tactical ballistic missile launch platforms to front-line units on Aug. 4, 2024, in Pyongyang, according to a report by the state-run Rodong Sinmun on Aug. 5. (KCNA/Yonhap) |
In addition to the deployment of new missiles, North Korea
has also been investing heavily in the development of its artillery
capabilities. The country's artillery forces are among the largest in the
world, and are capable of delivering a massive amount of firepower against
targets in Seoul and its surrounding areas.
The implications of North Korea's changed military tactic
are significant, and pose a major threat to the stability of the Korean
Peninsula. The concentration of military assets in the vicinity of the DMZ
creates a high-risk environment, where even a small miscalculation could lead
to a major conflict.
Furthermore, the targeting of Seoul and its surrounding areas raises concerns about the potential for civilian casualties. The city of Seoul is home to over 9 million people, and is a major economic and cultural hub. Any military conflict in the area would have devastating consequences for the city and its inhabitants.
In conclusion, North Korea's changed military tactic poses a
significant threat to the stability of the Korean Peninsula. The concentration
of military assets in the vicinity of the DMZ, combined with the deployment of
new short-range missiles and the development of artillery capabilities, creates
a high-risk environment that could lead to a major conflict. It is essential
that the international community takes steps to address this threat, and works
towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
Highlights of North Korea’s recent military strategies
- North Korea's military doctrine is based on the ideology
of "Juche," or self-reliance, which emphasizes the importance of
military strength and independence.
- The country's military forces are among the largest in the
world, with an estimated 1.2 million active personnel.
- North Korea's military modernization efforts have been
focused on developing its ballistic missile capabilities with nuclear war heads,
as well as its artillery and special operations forces.
- The country's military strategy is designed to counter the
military superiority of the United States and its allies, and to deter any
potential attack.
- The DMZ is one of the most heavily militarized borders in
the world, with over 1 million landmines and a significant presence of military
personnel and equipment.
-N. Korea's 250 new missile launchers with nuclear capacity could overwhelm South's defense: experts say