NK may conduct large-scale drills

By Kang Seung-woo

North Korea is reportedly getting ready for a large-scale combined military exercise off the west coast amid tensions re-emerging on the Korean Peninsula due to the South’s pullout from the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.

The North, which has kept the world on its toes over an expected missile launch, may carry out an exercise around Nampo, South Pyongan Province, involving its aircraft and field artillery units, Yonhap News reported Sunday.

“The South’s intelligence detected a sign of the North’s preparations for combined live-fire drills and its scale is likely to be quite large,” a government source was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it does not have information regarding such an exercise.

The source also said there is a chance the North may opt to launch short-range projectiles as part of its show of force, but no timing for the drill was given.

The North has been expected to launch a mid-range Musudan missile or shorter Rodong or Scud rockets during key anniversaries in April after moving them to the east coast, because of its past cycle of military actions on those days, but there is no sign of any imminent launch.

“A large part of the North’s military is currently being used to help spring farming,” a military official said.

However, the South’s military has been put on alert against possible provocations after the complete withdrawal from the joint industrial zone.