Page 71 - 2020 Defence White Paper

North Korea Date South Korea
January 12, US National Security Advisor says, “The United States
2020 conveyed its message to North Korea to resume dialogue”
North Korea declares conversion into a national January 24,
emergency defense system in response to COVID-19 2020
North Korea enforces measures to restrict inter-Korean
traffic due to COVID-19; temporarily shuts down the January 30,
2020
Liaison Office in Kaesong
North Korea notifies the delay in demolition at Mt. January 31,
Kumgang due to COVID-19; suspends international 2020
travel via air, train, and ship
Chairman Kim observes a joint strike drill of defense units February
in the eastern region 28, 2020
The ROK government condemns the North Korean fire
North Korea fires two short-range projectiles (Wonsan) March 2, strike drill
* Chairman Kim instructs test firing of a super-large MRL 2020 * “...strong concern over North Korea's behavior that
raises military tension”
Kim Yo-jong issues a statement March 3,
* “...fire combat exercise is a self-defense action...any 2020
condemnation or request to stop is presumptuous”
Ambassadors of five European member states of the
March 6, UNSC (UK, France, Germany, Belgium, and Estonia)
2020 issue a joint statement condemning North Korean
provocations
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refutes March 7,
the statement of condemnation of five member states 2020
* “...it was a conventional drill”
The ROK government responds to North Korean
North Korea fires two short-range projectiles (Sondok, short-range projectile launches
South Hamgyong Province) March 9,
* Chairman Kim again instructs a fire strike exercise for 2020 * “...we hereby point out again that continuing large-scale
joint strike drills is not conducive to peace settlement
long-range artillery at the front line
efforts on the Korean Peninsula”
Chairman Kim instructs artillery firefighting competition March 12,
(7th and 9th corps) 2020
Chairman Kim instructs artillery firefighting competition JCS responds to North Korean short-range projectile
(3rd, 4th, and 8th corps) launches
North Korea fires two short-range projectiles (Sonchon, March 21, * “...North Korea’s military action is extremely
North Pyongan Province) 2020 inappropriate in the midst of global difficulties due to
* Chairman Kim instructs tactical guided weapon COVID-19...we urge immediate cessation”
demonstration shooting
The ROK government responds to North Korean
short-range projectile launches
North Korea fires two short-range projectiles (Wonsan) March 29, * “...we are keeping an eye on related trends as we
* Chairman Kim is absent, instructs test firing of a 2020 continue to receive reports on the North Korean
super-large MRL
short-range projectile launches from the Ministry of
National Defense and the National Intelligence Service”
Chairman Kim instructs mortar artillery firing drill April 10,
* “...reinforce artillery, focus on artillery” 2020
Chairman Kim inspects the Pursuit and Raid Regiment in April 11,
the Western District 2020
US JCS in relation to cruise missiles
North Korea fires cruise missiles (Chairman Kim is April 14, * “...we do not believe it was a provocation. We believe it was
absent) 2020
related to an internal commemorative event”
May 3, JCS responds to GP shooting
Shooting at GP (3rd Division)
2020 * “...a violation of the CMA”
.BZ The ROK Armed Forces conduct combined defense
training on the northwestern islands
* ROKAF Air Combat Command and Navy 2nd Fleet

Appendix