North Korean Military Summer Training... Likely Reduced Due to COVID-19 and Heavy Rainfall Impact

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The North Korean military has begun summer training this month, but it is understood that the intensity and scale have been affected by heavy rains and COVID-19.

Kim Jun-rak, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a regular briefing on the 21st, "It is assessed that the North Korean military started summer training in July," and added, "Currently, some regions are affected by heavy rains and the COVID-19 situation, which has impacted the (North Korean military's training)."

However, since it is still early in the training period, Kim explained that it is necessary to observe further before comparing the scale and intensity with previous years. Regarding North Korea's nuclear test preparations, Kim said, "South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are closely cooperating to meticulously monitor related facilities and activities, and so far, there is nothing additional to report." He added, "However, our military maintains a firm readiness posture to prepare for various possibilities."

South Korean and U.S. authorities assess that North Korea has completed physical preparations, such as restoring tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, and can conduct a seventh nuclear test anytime upon the decision of Chairman Kim Jong-un. Meanwhile, U.S. reconnaissance assets frequently appear around the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. Air Force's main signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft, the RC-135V Rivet Joint, was tracked departing from Okinawa, Japan, flying north past Jeju Island and over the West Sea. Recently, around the time the U.S. Air Force deployed F-35A aircraft to the Korean Peninsula for joint U.S.-South Korea exercises, both the RC-135V and RC-135S Cobra Ball flew over the Korean Peninsula area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.