250 North Korean Missiles Ready to Roll: South Korea Boosts Defense Amid Rising Tensions

On August 28, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced it is bolstering its Korean Missile Defense (KAMD) system in response to North Korea’s new tactical ballistic missile launchers.

During a full meeting of the Intelligence Committee, the NIS addressed questions about countermeasures against North Korea’s 250 mobile missile launchers (TELs) recently revealed. Committee members Lee Seong Gwon from the People Power Party and Park Seon Won from the Democratic Party reported that the NIS stated, “In general, we are enhancing the capabilities of KAMD.”

On August 5, North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency reported that a ceremony was held in Pyongyang to deliver 250 launchers to front-line units along the border. These launchers are intended for a new short-range ballistic missile (CRBM) type and can reportedly carry four missiles each.

In a report to the Intelligence Committee on Monday, the NIS predicted that if these launchers were deployed at the front lines, they could potentially affect areas as far as the Chungcheong region while expressing doubts about North Korea’s missile supply capabilities.

The NIS noted that in response to recent flooding in northern North Korea, China has installed metal flood barriers approximately 2.5 meters high around Dandong. At the same time, North Korea has only constructed earthen levees about 1 meter high. This disparity means that heavy rains, floods, and high tides on the west coast could result in significant damage flowing into North Korea.

The NIS further commented that while the flooding appears to be a natural disaster, it also has a man-made component due to the lack of preventive measures against heavy rain and flooding.

Regarding flood relief efforts, the NIS indicated no current evidence of North Korea receiving aid from Russia, though it is anticipated soon and is being closely monitored. The agency also assessed that international organizations and China are unlikely to provide relief supplies to North Korea.

The NIS observed a relatively modest increase in the number of North Korean defectors compared to the COVID-19 pandemic but still noted that the numbers remain low compared to the era of Kim Jong Il. They do not view the defection of overseas diplomats or foreign currency earners as immediate signs of instability or changes under the Kim Jong Un regime. However, they continue to monitor the situation closely.