North Korea Tests Deadly Electric Fences With Live Animals—What Are They Preparing For?

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) revealed several photos on Monday highlighting North Korea’s latest activities. The images depict North Korean personnel installing fences, soldiers warming themselves by campfires, and others cooking meals on makeshift stoves.

According to the JCS, North Korea has installed approximately 40 kilometers of fences along the tactical road north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) for about eight months. Additionally, over 10 kilometers of barriers along the upper parts of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) are being constructed. The operation has involved thousands of personnel, increasing from 2,000–3,000 in April and May to about 5,000 in October and reaching 7,000–10,000 in November and December. A JCS official noted, “However, since last weekend, the number of personnel has decreased from several hundred to a few thousand. This year’s operations are wrapping up and will likely end soon.” Work is expected to resume in the spring when the ground thaws. Over eight months, North Korea has deforested approximately 60 kilometers of the MDL, covering 25% of its total length of 155 miles (about 250 kilometers).

The fences are reportedly intended to prevent defections by North Korean soldiers and civilians, enhance vehicle mobility for reinforcing operational troops during emergencies, and strengthen surveillance near the MDL. A new 40-kilometer-long electric fence has been installed south of the existing DMZ fence. Unlike the single-layered existing fences, the new structures feature up to three layers. Some sections of the second and third fences are electrified, with 220 volts, 3,300 volts, and 10,000 volts detected. Surveillance equipment captured North Korean soldiers throwing animals, presumed to be goats, at the electric fences to test their functionality.

Since July 20, North Korea has been broadcasting about 10 types of noise for over 10 hours daily at 40 locations along the frontline. Initially, these broadcasts were aired across the entire frontline during late-night and early-morning hours, but they have since concentrated in the western region. Some loudspeakers have been replaced with models capable of directional adjustments. This aggressive noise campaign appears to be aimed at countering South Korean loudspeaker broadcasts and escalating internal divisions in South Korea.

In addition, North Korea has engaged in low-level GPS jamming in areas near Haeju and Kaesong. This has disrupted signals for South Korean military vessels, civilian aircraft, ships, and some North Korean vessels.

The JCS also reported that North Korea has dismantled 11 out of 15 transmission towers along the Gyeongui Line. The only remaining tower within the DMZ is being closely monitored, as it could be repurposed for surveillance equipment. Additionally, North Korea suspended its use of propaganda balloons. Since late May, they have been launched 32 times and have carried approximately 7,000 leaflets, with the last instance occurring on November 29. However, materials and supplies have been detected at several balloon launch sites, indicating readiness to resume at any time.

The JCS anticipates that North Korea will continue its “gray zone” tactics, including propaganda balloons, noise broadcasts, and GPS jamming while maintaining its confrontational stance toward South Korea. North Korea is expected to persist in these efforts until it creates the strategic environment Kim Jong Un desires.

Although North Korea is likely to avoid direct military clashes due to its focus on Russian support, it may conduct winter military exercises, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches, and nuclear tests as part of its strategic provocations to bolster its negotiating position with the U.S. “Given past precedents, a coordinated response between South Korea and the U.S., as well as enhanced readiness, will be crucial,” the JCS added.