The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on October 29 that North Korea is enhancing its conventional weapons systems while focusing on the advancement of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and increasing nuclear material production.
During a briefing at the NIS headquarters in Seoul, lawmakers Yoon Geon-young of the Democratic Party and Yoo Young-ha of the People Power Party, who serve as the co-chairs of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, shared these insights.
The NIS indicated that North Korea is strengthening its firepower systems across various ranges and is monitoring the potential deployment of 600mm super large rockets in forward positions. The agency also noted that North Korea is pursuing hypersonic missile technology, having tested a conical warhead earlier this month to enhance maneuverability through weight reduction.
Additionally, the NIS reported on the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, stating, "We are tracking the possibility of discussions regarding the procurement of key weapon components and technology transfers amid covert military collaboration." The agency has also established an organization to oversee the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the defense industry.
Meanwhile, the NIS announced the results of a special inspection regarding the agency's involvement in a comprehensive investigation into insurrection. It revealed plans to investigate a former deputy director who allegedly directed a public awareness campaign targeting citizens during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The agency confirmed that it had consistently reported statements that did not significantly exceed the bounds of political expression to the presidential office ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The NIS reported that from late 2023 to early 2024, the then-deputy director in charge of North Korea directed a cognitive campaign aimed at changing public awareness regarding North Korean human rights issues. The agency assessed that there were multiple instances of statements violating the obligation to refrain from political involvement during this process.
The circumstances surrounding the preparation of the report delivered to the presidential office before the general elections are also under scrutiny. The NIS stated that it operated a "Special Task Force for Blocking North Korean Influence Operations" from December 2023 to April 2024, compiling reports on North Korean directives, propaganda trends, and statements similar to North Korean positions.
This report was presented to senior officials in the presidential office and the National Security Council approximately ten times. The NIS evaluated that despite most of the statements in the report not significantly exceeding the bounds of political expression, their continuous reporting during a sensitive election period posed a risk of distorting the perceptions and judgments of key presidential aides.
The NIS also mentioned the results of inspections regarding the performance of duties by current employees during the martial law declared on December 3. It confirmed that directives for martial law from former director Cho Tae-yong and other political appointees were sequentially communicated to employees through department heads, with over ten employees executing unlawful and improper directives.
The NIS plans to impose strict disciplinary measures on employees found to have committed violations based on the inspection results. Furthermore, it intends to conduct education on respecting constitutional values for employees to ensure that institutional reforms lead to genuine changes in organizational culture.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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