'Mosaic Man' Next to Kim Jong-un... NIS Observes as Joint Unit Commander of Tactical Nuclear Force

Appeared Next to Kim Jong-un During Last Month's Nuclear Strike Drill
"Seemed to Prevent Exposure Due to Awareness of Possible Sanctions"

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) observed that the man in military uniform who appeared next to Kim Jong-un with his face covered during North Korea's 'tactical ballistic missile launch drill simulating a nuclear strike' aimed at the South last month is "likely the combined unit commander in charge of operating tactical nuclear forces."

According to the office of Yoo Sang-beom, the ruling party's secretary of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, on the 2nd, the NIS responded in a written inquiry about the personal details of the 'Mosaic Man' in this manner.

North Korea Conducts Comprehensive Tactical Drill Simulating Nuclear Retaliation on March 18-19

Earlier, North Korea announced through its state media, Korean Central News Agency, that it conducted a 'comprehensive tactical exercise simulating a nuclear counterattack by tactical nuclear operation units' over two days from the 18th to 19th of last month. The exercise, which simulated nuclear strikes on key targets in the South, captured Kim Jong-un, his daughter Ju-ae, and four others believed to be senior military officials. Notably, one individual thoroughly concealed his identity alone by wearing a mask and sunglasses, and it was considered quite unusual that the released photos were even mosaic-processed.

The NIS based its judgment that the individual was the 'combined unit commander of the tactical nuclear forces' on several points: ▲the man was identified as a major general-level commander appointed as a corps commander in North Korea ▲he was seen accompanying Kim Jong-un at close range ▲he was carrying a leather crossbody bag, a type typically used by military commanders.

North Korea Conducts Comprehensive Tactical Exercise Simulating Nuclear Retaliation on March 18-19

Regarding the reason for the mosaic processing to protect his identity, the NIS explained, "It is presumed to be a measure taken in consideration of the possibility of being designated as a sanctions target." They added, "There is a precedent where the factory manager and three factory officials who accompanied Kim Jong-un during his visit to an 'important weapons system production military factory' on January 28 last year were also mosaic-processed."

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