North Korea Steps Up Border Defenses and Sends Suicide Drones to Russia, JCS Reports

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) revealed on Monday that North Korean forces are preparing for troop rotation or reinforcement. Pyongyang recently unveiled evidence suggesting potential support of suicide drones.

The JCS report indicates that North Korea is supplying Russia with 240mm multiple rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled howitzers. There are signs that the regime is producing and preparing to provide the suicide drones showcased during the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s inspection last month.

North Korea has bolstered its border defenses, deploying thousands of additional troops to install barbed wire fencing along tactical roads north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and near the Northern Limit Line. The JCS assesses these actions as part of a year-end push to complete planned fortifications before the regime’s end-of-year plenary meeting.

The construction is expected to cover over 40 kilometers (24 miles) of fencing near the MDL and approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) along the Northern Limit Line. These enhancements prevent defections and improve military mobility and surveillance capabilities in the border region.

The JCS reassured the public about South Korea’s military readiness.

A senior JCS official emphasized, “Our forces remain vigilant and focused on their core mission of deterring and defending against potential threats.” The official highlighted the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and its robust defense posture.

The official described actions like propaganda balloons and GPS jamming as gray-zone threats, emphasizing that the primary concern in responding to these tactics is to ensure the safety of citizens. Additionally, the official highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance surveillance capabilities and refine operational strategies, stating, “We will continue to conduct regular training exercises to maintain our readiness posture, even in the current state of heightened alert.”