North Korea Special Operation Forces on Show for the First Time
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Conatus News/Uncommon Ground Media Inc.
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2017/04/19
Yonhap News Agency recently reported that North Korea has formed a new unit and has put them on display in a parade in an apparent show of military power.
The display was amid ongoing tensions with the United States concerning North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.
The Korean People’s Army were present in a military parade for the 105th anniversary for the deceased founder of North Korea, Kim Il-Sung.
North Korea has media run by the state. Their media mentioned the navy, the air force, and the special operation forces in the parade.
“Military officers belonging to the special forces marched in formation while wearing black camouflage cream on their faces and black sunglasses, according to footage by the country’s state TV station.”
The special operation forces carried a novel form of grenade launchers in addition to night-vision goggles.
One announcer on television, in reference to the highest peak in the Korean Peninsula, said, “Once Supreme Commander Kim Jong-un issues an order, they will charge with resolve to thrust a sword through the enemy’s heart like lighting over Mt. Paektu,”
The current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, watched from a Pyongyang plaza. There has been speculation as to a “sixth nuclear test.” Recently, there was a failed missile launch from North Korea.
The new forces are aimed at countering both the United States and South Korea with the “beheading operation” or launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile around its key anniversaries in April.
Seoul and Washington’s forces, including the U.S. Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden, joined this year’s annual joint military drills for the first time apparently to practice removing the North Korean leadership in case of war.
As this is the first presentation of the special operation forces ever, other militarised groups have been formed by North Korea for new purposes and then put on show during a parade.
North Korean Col. Gen. Kim Yong-bok, a former military leader of the KPA Unit 11, is presumed to be leading the special forces as a new commander, given that his name was mentioned by the country’s media at the parade.
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