North Korea has not yet ordered any meaningful civilian or military mobilization in response to combined U.S-South Korea “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” military drills, which began today.
An inside source in Jagang Province told Daily NK on the 19th, “Unlike last year, there has been no order to hold civilian defense drills and everything is as normal. There are normally civil defense drills in August, but this year there hasn’t been a word on it.”
“Some people are a little uncomfortable about that,” he added, before going on to explain, “Jagang Province is now putting its strength into realizing the General’s onsite guidance at the tractor factory. There is no training of either reserve forces or the Worker and Peasant Red Guard, which is made up of laborers.”
“Mind you, the people are already stressed by the call to fulfill their economic tasks, and if they did have to do civil defense training as well then that might be the end of them,” he mused.
A source in Hyesan, Yangkang Province confirmed the story, adding, “Every year North Korea orders political lectures or issues directives to build tension by claiming that the U.S. and South Korea are planning to invade North Korea. The fact that there has been no directive this time is rather unusual.”
“There has been no civilian training for everyday citizens. Of course, in the future the authorities may criticize the military exercises, but as it stands they are interested in improving relations with the South, so it looks like they are holding their tongues.”
Examples of past North Korean responses to the start of the annual combined UFG exercises are linked below.
