Page 35 - 2020 Defence White Paper

[Chart 1-5] Major Activities of the North Korean Special Operation Force Chapter 1

Special Operation Force Military Parade Island Occupation Strike Drill for Allies’
Flag Raising Training Strategic Facilities

Naval Force The Naval Force is composed of 2 fleet commands, one for the
East Sea and one for the West Sea, 13 naval squadrons, and 2
maritime sniper brigades under the Naval Command.
With 60% of its forces positioned south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line, the North
Korean Naval Force possesses the capability to carry out a surprise attack anytime.
However, its capacity for deep-sea operations is limited because its forces consist
mainly of small, high-speed vessels.
Surface forces are mostly composed of around 490 small, high-speed vessels such
as guided missile boats, torpedo boats, small patrol craft, and fire support patrol
craft. Their mission is to support the advancement of the Ground Force in connection
with ground operations while also carrying out coastal defense operations. More
recently, the Naval Force has built and field deployed new medium-to large-sized
vessels with some of them equipped with anti-ship missiles to enhance its long-
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range strike capability.
Underwater forces consist of some 70 Romeo-class and midget-type submarines. 36)
North Korea unveiled the
They are designed to disrupt sea lanes, lay mines, attack surface vessels, and assist missile test in the waters
off Wonsan on February
special warfare units’ infiltrations. The North Korean Naval Force is continuing to 6, 2015, with an estimated
range of about 100km.
build up its forces by constructing new submarines capable of launching Submarine-
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Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) . Submarine-Launched
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Ballistic Missile
The amphibious forces are composed of more than 250 vessels including ACVs
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and high-speed landing crafts with most of them being small-sized vessels. The New surface-to-ship
amphibious force is expected to infiltrate special warfare forces into our rear area using missiles were unveiled
during the 70th anniversary
these vessels to strike major military and strategic facilities and secure key landing of establishment of the
regime (September
shores. The coastal defense forces deploy a number of coastal artillery and surface-to- 9, 2018). while at the
75th anniversary of
ship missiles along the east and west coasts to conduct missions such as attacking ships establishment of its ruling
party, launchers were
approaching from the sea and defending against landing attempts. Recently, North increased from the existing
4 to 8 and the transporter
Korea has been improving its coastal defense capabilities by carrying out performance erector launchers (TELs)
replaced with the newly
upgrades of surface-to-ship missiles and extending their range. Key vessels and improved surface-to-ship
38)
missiles with an estimated
surface-to-ship missiles of the North Korean Naval Force are as shown in [Chart 1-6]. range of about 200km.

Chapter 1. Changes and Challenges in the Security Environment 33