DPRK Special Forces Units Observed at the 9.9 Parade

[soryang]

Last edited Tue Sep 11, 2018, 12:05 AM - Edit history (1)

North Korean Special Tactical Forces, decapitation strategy response? (Source Channel A News Top Ten Sep 10)

With no ICBMs on display, coverage focused on ground forces at the parade. I thought the appearance of the DPRK special forces was striking. The program speculated that the units were a response to the alleged decapitation function of South Korean or US special force units. Another mission might be infiltration south of the MDL/DMZ in wartime.

These forces, seen in the 9.9 military review yesterday had been observed in Pyongyang last year. From the top is a new bullet resistant helmet in the German style. On the helmet is a night vision device estimated to be of Russian design. The soldiers were wearing flak jackets with a digital pattern which may make forces less distinguishable from friendly South Korean forces according to a Yonhap News report. There is an improved model Bektusan automatic pistol. The soldiers in the parade were carrying the DPRK modified version of the Russian AK 74 design rifle with a shortened barrel and cylinder shaped helical high capacity magazine mounted on the stock. The helical magazine may carry 75 to 150 rounds of 5.45mm ammunition. These weapons were observed earlier in the April 2017 parade for Kim Il Sung's birthday commemoration. According to Yonhap News, the modified weapon was first observed being used by Kim Jong Un bodyguards in 2013. The complexity of the high capacity magazine can be a weakness operationally compared to the standard 30 round magazine on the original design, and the new weapon cannot carry the grenade launcher.

There are a couple of additional graphics of this outfit at the Yonhap News link from April 17, 2017:

http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2017/04/17/0200000000AKR20170417063400014.HTML




New weapons carried by DPRK special forces. (Source Channel A News Top Ten Sep 10)

On the left side, soldiers carrying new model tandem warhead RPG, estimated to be able to destroy a South Korean K1 tank according to the Channel A assessment. On the right troops carrying a composite model rifle, that has a rifle plus grenade launcher capability.

[DashOneBravo]

1. Do you have an English version?

[soryang]

2. No I don't

Sorry, this is my effort at trying to interpret rather than literally translate the entire news report. I was able to translate the entire Yonhap report for myself, trying to write it down literally is too difficult and time consuming. I looked and couldn't get a English translation. The youtube transcription function on the Korean news podcasts are filled with errors in both Hangul and English.

[DashOneBravo]

3. That's ok

I saw these pictures when they first showed up. Looks like they have top of the line equipment.

Couple of points:
How many units have them and do they work properly?

US Special Operations have been in combat since 9/11. That’s a lot experience doing combined operations actually fighting people who want to kill you. How much combat experience does NK have?

How good are they? I’ve seen “elite” units from other countries that were not equal to a US conventional unit. Saudi and Jordanian come to mind.

[soryang]

4. We don't know but....

The main problem with the planning as far as special ops goes is that this problem really isn't tactical, it's strategic. One can envision specific tactical uses for US or South Korean special forces, as we discussed elsewhere, but the potential response is the North's nuclear deterrent.

I have little doubt that the US special forces are far more capable but the principal issue is how to nullify the nuclear threat. These special forces in North Korea are a response to the constant drumbeat of decapitation threats coming out of the US and South Korea. Officially the South Korean government has chosen to put aside talking about this offensive capability while the US and Japan continue to exercise it in recent military exercises. Whether they are effective or not, offensively, is moot, in my opinion.

The offensive capability in the aggregate from the North is represented by its artillery and ballistic missile forces. The rest of their capability is sorely deficient.

[DashOneBravo]

5. I'm following your point now

You feel that the parade of their SO units are a result of our and Japan actions. We do not see any of that here. It never makes the news cycle.

Unless you are stationed in South Korea you wouldn’t even be aware. I don’t think any of the US or Japan would want a war.

Even our Sec Of Defense said that because of the artillery / missle capabilities it would be awful for the citizens.

[soryang]

6. Agreed

Thanks for your comments.

[DashOneBravo]

7. I enjoyed it very much