Page 354 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Appendix 9
Chronicle of Inter-Korean Military Relations

(December 1, 2016 - November 30, 2018)

North Korea Date South Korea
Chairman Kim Jong-un presides over an artillery training December 1,
for attacking the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area 2016
Chairman Kim Jong-un presides over a combat training December 11,
aimed at attacking the Blue House 2016
Chairman Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s address
The ROK government condemns North Korea’s claim that
* “Preparation for ICBM test launch is nearly complete; January 1, preparation for ICBM test launch is nearly complete
need to build up preemptive strike capabilities
2017 * “Strongly urges North Korea to follow the path of
centered on nuclear strength continuously; need to
denuclearization
establish measures to improve inter-Korean relations.”
The ROK, the United States, and Japan conduct missile
January 20, alert training to strengthen their detection and tracking
2017 capabilities against North Korean ballistic missiles
(January 20 - 22)
The ROK government announces statement condemning
North Korea launches a ballistic missile February 12, North Korea’s ballistic missile launch
(Gusong, North Pyongan Province) 2017 * “A threat to peace and security of the Korean Peninsula
and the international community”
KPA General Staff Department releases a statement: The ROK and the United States begin KR/FE combined
March 1,
“criticizes the ROK–U.S. combined training and threatens 2017 exercises
to take extreme actions.” * KR: March 13 - 24, FE: March 1- April 30
The ROK government announces a statement
North Korea launches four ballistic missiles March 6, condemning North Korea’s ballistic missile launch
(Dongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province) 2017 * “Strongly condemns North Korea’s violation of UNSC
resolutions”
Strategic Force spokesperson releases a statement
justifying the ballistic missile launches
March 9,
* “North Korea will foster the capabilities to strike the 2017
enemies with high-precision rockets at any time at any
position.”
North Korea conducts a test for a new high-output missile March 19,
engine (Dongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province) 2017
General Staff Department spokesperson issues a JCS releases a statement regarding the warning issued
warning regarding KR/FE Exercise March 26, by North Korean General Staff Department spokesperson
* “We will crush them without mercy with our own 2017 * “Not worth responding to North Korea’s baseless claims;
preemptive strikes” provocation will be met with stern retaliation”
The ROK government announces a statement
North Korea launches a ballistic missile April 5, condemning North Korea’s ballistic missile launch
(Shinpo, South Hamgyong Province) 2017 * “North Korean regime’s reckless provocation will hasten
their self-destruction”

352 Appendix