A source within the North Korean military has informed Daily NK that a number of vehicles bearing short- and medium-range missiles have been moved from East Sea bases in the direction of Wonsan, the main city in North Korean Gangwon Province. At the same time, the Chosun People’s Army General Staff has issued an order telling units to closely observe the end of ongoing ROK-U.S. joint training exercises, raising the specter of a North Korean provocation, possibly involving multiple missile launches, at that time.
The source told Daily NK on the 4th, “Vehicles loaded with short- and medium-range missiles in Anbyeon and Okpyeong counties in Gangwon Province have been moved towards Wonsan. Here the situation is rather sensitive, and it seems like they will soon be deployed for use.”
North Korea’s standard medium-range missile is the Hwaseong-5, -6 and -7, an upgraded version of the Soviet-era Scud B, C and D. It has a range of between 300km and 700km.
The source continued, “They will watch the ROK-U.S. joint training and then, when the exercises are done, there will be the chance of short- and medium-range missile launches.”
The annual joint ROK-U.S. military exercise ‘Key Resolve-Foal Eagle’ runs from February 28th-March 10th.
In addition to detailed news of missile preparations in Gangwon Province, Daily NK has also learned of rocket, tank and artillery units based along the East Coast from Goseong County on the inter-Korean border all the way up to North Hamkyung Province entering a combat readiness posture, meaning that vehicles and equipment are fuelled and armed, while troops have been issued with supplies. In addition, submarine crews with East Sea bases have been put on high alert, meaning they must stay with their vessels at all times.
