North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the country's air force to boost its combat capabilities to respond "immediately and powerfully" to military threats from the enemy, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on December 1. Kim made the new directive during a visit to the Air Force Command on November 30. There, he also gave instructions to enhance combat readiness, calling the air force the "core force" of the North Korean armed forces.
Military moves of Korea and the US
Kim's visit comes amid renewed tensions on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang launched a military spy satellite, Malligyong-1, on the evening of November 21. Pyongyang claimed the new spy satellite had taken photos of several military bases in South Korea and the United States, but has yet to release any related satellite images, according to Yonhap.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the Air Force Command (photo released by KCNA on December 1)
In response to Pyongyang’s satellite launch, Seoul last week partially suspended a 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction agreement. In response, North Korea said it would restore all military measures suspended under the agreement. Following that announcement, South Korea detected North Koreans rebuilding guard posts and remobilizing troops and heavy weapons in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), according to Yonhap.
North Korea boosts combat capabilities, US imposes new sanctions
Also in response to North Korea's new move, Yonhap cited several sources as saying that the South Korean military is preparing equipment for temporary monitoring stations as well as weapons. South Korean officials said they are closely monitoring North Korea's activities near the border and will take necessary steps to respond.
In addition, Yonhap reported on November 30 that the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) released photos of a joint exercise between a company of the US Army and South Korean forces near the DMZ. USINDOPACOM said the exercise aimed to strengthen the joint defense posture, focusing on reconnaissance missions, countering weapons of mass destruction and chemical, biological and nuclear threats.
More sanctions against North Korea
In addition to strengthening their military capabilities, South Korea and the United States have imposed new sanctions in response to North Korea's launch of the Malligyong-1 satellite. South Korea's Foreign Ministry announced on December 1 that South Korea has imposed unilateral sanctions on 11 North Korean individuals involved in satellite and ballistic missile development. Among them are Ri Chul-ju, deputy director of the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA), and two other members of NATA. The agency is believed to have directed the project to build and launch the Malligyong-1 satellite, according to Yonhap.
Kim Jong-un's sister makes tough statement to the US
South Korea's announcement came on the same day the United States, Japan and Australia announced their own sanctions against North Korea over the spy satellite launch, marking the first time four countries have imposed such measures on Pyongyang at the same time. Hours earlier, the U.S. Treasury Department said Washington had imposed sanctions on Kimsuky, a North Korean cyber espionage group, and eight overseas agents of Pyongyang in response to the Malligyong-1 satellite launch. Japan also imposed sanctions on five North Korean individuals and four groups, including Kimsuky, while Australia imposed sanctions on seven individuals and one entity, according to Yonhap.
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