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on solid fuel; in particular, it is operating a 6,800-strong unit of cyber-warfare
specialists and is working to enhance cyber capabilities by continuing R&D on latest
technologies.
During contingencies, North Korean forces is highly likely to resort to guerilla
attacks that mainly employ asymmetric capabilities to shape favorable conditions and
end the war as soon as possible. In July 2019, Chairman Kim mentioned the "Party’s
military strategic plan" during his visit to the construction site of a new submarine
and once again emphasized the "Artillery Force Reinforcement Guideline" proposed
at the 4th Artillery Competition in 2020. Therefore, there is a possibility of a shift
in its military strategy considering external strategic environmental changes and
internal conditions such as economic difficulties.

Military Command Structure Chairman Kim wields full command and
control over the North Korean military as he
concurrently serves as the Supreme Commander of the KPA and the Chairman of
the party’s Central Military Commission.
The State Affairs Commission, as the supreme policy decision-making agency in
North Korea, carries out decision-making activities on key policies such as the national
defense force build up project. The Supreme Commander of the KPA has under his
command the General Political Bureau, the General Staff Department, the Ministry
of National Defense, the Military Security Bureau, and the Guard Command. The
General Political Bureau supervises party organs within the military and is responsible
for matters related to political ideology. The General Staff Department has the

command authority over military operations, and operates five military types-KPA
Ground Force, KPA Special Operation Force, KPA Naval Force, KPA Air and Anti-
Air Force, and KPA Strategic Force. The Ministry of National Defense represents
31)
the North Korean military externally and exercises military administrative authority
including military diplomacy, logistics, and finance. The Military Security Bureau is
in charge of investigation, pretrial, and execution of all military criminal activities in
the military, while the Guard Command is responsible for suppressing dissident coups
against the regime, protecting the personal safety of the supreme leader and his family
members, and guarding and managing the residence.
The Central Military Commission, pursuant to the Charter of the Korean Workers
Party, deliberates and decides upon measures necessary for implementing the party’s
31)
The Ministry of People’s military policy and guidelines, and provides guidance in overall defense affairs at the
Armed Forces has been
renamed the Ministry party level. The military command structure of North Korea is visualized in [Chart
of National Defense in
October 2020. 1-2] below.

30 2020 Defense White Paper