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Summary of Korean Special, Asymmetric, and Paramilitary Forces

Core Content

This document provides an analysis of the special, asymmetric, and paramilitary forces of both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), focusing on their capabilities, structures, and strategic roles in the Korean Peninsula. It highlights the DPRK's extensive and diverse asymmetric warfare capabilities, including its Special Forces, infiltration tunnels, artillery, and cyber operations, while also outlining the ROK's countermeasures and special operations forces.

Main Points

DPRK Special and Asymmetric Forces

• Special Forces: The DPRK's Special Forces are considered among the most highly trained, well-equipped, and motivated in the Korean People's Army (KPA). They are divided into two main categories: light infantry units (estimated at 140,000 troops) and the 11th Storm Corps (estimated at 60,000 troops).
• Missions: These forces are tasked with reconnaissance, target destruction, disruption of enemy rear areas, terrorist attacks, neutralization of strategic facilities, and assassination. They also have roles in guerrilla warfare, infiltration, and cyber attacks.
• Training and Deployment: The forces are trained for composite operations, including infiltration via underground tunnels or AN-2 planes. They can conduct air, sea, and land operations, and are equipped with sniper units, airborne brigades, and seaborne units.
• Structure: The DPRK's Special Forces are organized into seven divisions, five to seven reconnaissance battalions, and 25 Special Forces brigades. These units are part of the 11th Storm Corps, which is responsible for coordinating special and unconventional warfare.

DPRK Infiltration Tunnels

• The DPRK has developed a network of tunnels under the DMZ for infiltration and asymmetric warfare.
• Tunnel Discoveries: Four tunnels have been discovered by the ROK and US forces. These tunnels are capable of rapid troop movement and are strategically located to allow quick access to South Korean territory.
• Technical Capabilities: The tunnels are deep, secure, and camouflaged, with some reaching 145 meters in depth. The number of tunnels is estimated to be between 20-25.
• Invasion Routes: The tunnels connect to various invasion routes that could allow mass troop movements into South Korea.

DPRK Artillery and Asymmetric Warfare

• The DPRK has thousands of artillery emplacements near the DMZ, many located in natural caves, tunnels, and bunkers (HARTS).
• These artillery positions are capable of targeting Seoul and inflicting significant damage.
• Despite the large numbers, the accuracy and reliability of DPRK artillery are questionable, with a high rate of dud rounds and poor targeting in past operations.

DPRK Cyber and Electronic Warfare Capabilities

• The DPRK is known for its cyber attacks, denial of service attacks, and electronic warfare capabilities.
• These operations are used to disrupt ROK institutions, government agencies, and military systems.
• The DPRK's SIGINT (signals intelligence) and electronic warfare capabilities are well-developed, with the use of Soviet radar systems for GPS jamming.

ROK Special and Paramilitary Forces

• The ROK's Special Forces are modeled after US units, with a focus on infiltration, reconnaissance, and counterterrorism.
• The ROK Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) is the largest, with 10,000 troops, and is responsible for deep infiltration, sabotage, and kidnapping.
• The ROK Navy has a Special Forces unit based on the Underwater Demolition Team, and the Air Force maintains an elite Special Forces group for infiltration and guidance.
• The ROK Coast Guard is also considered a paramilitary force, with 54 combat vessels, logistics support, and aircraft.

ROK Counterterrorism and Asymmetric Warfare

• The ROK has been targeted by DPRK asymmetric tactics, including kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and threats.
• The ROK's counterterrorism efforts are part of its broader asymmetric warfare strategy, including intelligence operations, cyber defense, and military readiness.
• The ROK's Special Forces are prepared to respond to DPRK provocations, including nuclear and missile tests, WMD threats, and terrorist actions.

Key Information

• DPRK's Special Forces: Estimated at 200,000 troops, with a strong emphasis on asymmetric and covert operations.
• Tunnel Network: The DPRK has 20-25 tunnels under the DMZ, capable of rapid infiltration into South Korea.
• Artillery: The DPRK has 8,600 artillery pieces and 5,500 multiple rocket launchers near the DMZ, targeting Seoul.
• Cyber and Electronic Warfare: The DPRK has advanced cyber capabilities and uses GPS jamming and SIGINT to disrupt ROK and US operations.
• ROK's Special Forces: Well-trained, US-modelled, and equipped with modern technology.
• ROK's Paramilitary Forces: Includes the Coast Guard, Red Youth Guards, and Worker-Peasant Red Army, with a total of 7.7 million reserve and paramilitary personnel.
• Asymmetric Threats: The DPRK's use of asymmetric warfare is seen as a strategic tool to pressure the ROK and US, and is a challenge for arms control.

Conclusion

The DPRK's asymmetric and special forces are a major component of its military strategy, designed to compensate for its conventional weaknesses. These forces, combined with tunnel networks, artillery, and cyber capabilities, pose a significant threat to the ROK. The ROK, in contrast, has a well-structured and trained special forces system, with a focus on counterterrorism, intelligence, and asymmetric warfare. The complexity and scale of these forces highlight the asymmetric nature of the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.