SEOUL, Dec.15 (Yonhap) – North Korea has started regular winter military exercises and no unusual movement has been detected so far, the South Korean military reported on Tuesday.
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“We believe that North Korea has started its regular winter exercises,” said Colonel Kim Jun-rak, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCS).
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The exercises are not yet in full swing and there is no sign of impending provocation, according to another JCS officer.
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The Communist country usually begins its winter training in December, which continues until early spring. There have not yet been artillery fire exercises.
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The exercises could be held on a reduced scale this year due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) although it depends on leadership, the officer added. North Korea has issued the highest level of alert to prevent the spread of the virus.
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Earlier this month, the United States flew several types of reconnaissance planes over South Korea’s skies, presumably to keep watch over the North.
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Pyongyang has not staged any major military events in recent months despite unveiling a new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and Strategic Sea-to-Ground Ballistic Missile (MSBS), along with other military assets, during ‘a military parade on October 10 to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Labor Party.
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In the face of hardship caused by the novel coronavirus and continued international sanctions, North Korea launched an “80-day campaign” in October to achieve the country’s national and economic goals by the end of the year.
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Some predict that the Communist regime could carry out provocations such as missile fire around the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden in January.
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Regarding the possibility of the North holding another military parade next month, the spokesperson simply said, “The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States are closely monitoring related movements in close coordination. “
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Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) last month told lawmakers that the North could hold a military parade again at the next Party Congress scheduled for January.
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