The South Korean Warfare During the 2017 South Korean Sea Boundary Violation – a Test for the Comprehensive Solution of South Korea’s Nuclear Forces

South Korea resumed front-line aerial surveillance in protest at the North’s satellite launch. North Korea responded that it would deploy powerful weapons at the border and won’t abide by the 2018 deal any longer. South Korea later accused North Korea of restoring front-line guard posts that it had dismantled under the 2018 deal.

There were bloody naval skirmishes between the Koreas in 1999, 2002, and 2009, at the western sea boundary. The North’s alleged torpedoing of the South Korean warship in March 2010 killed 46 South Korean sailors, and the shelling of the island killed four South Koreans in November 2010.

The military from North Korea said that it was training in response to the training from South Korea. If South Korea is engaged in provocations, it was warned that North Korea will launch “Tough Counteraction on an unprecedented level”.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that they will take military measures if there is a threat to South Korean nationals. The statement didn’t say whether South Korea would respond with its own drills.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the North fired more than 60 rounds near the western sea boundary on Saturday afternoon. South Korea strongly urged North Korea to halt acts that heighten tensions and warned it will “overwhelmingly” deal with any provocations by North Korea, the statement said.

North Korea has conducted more than 100 missile tests over the last four years, some of which have been nuclear- capable. The U.S. and South Korea have responded by expanding their military training, which North Korea calls an invasion rehearsal.

In a recent key ruling party meeting, Kim fired off fierce, derisive rhetoric against South Korea, saying South Korea must not be considered as a partner for reconciliation or unification. He ordered the military to use nuclear weapons to conquer South Korea if there was a conflict.

Kim probably thinks a boosted military capability will increase his chance of getting concessions from the U.S. Kim promised to enlarge the country’s nuclear arsenal and launch three more spy satellites in a ruling party meeting.

Earlier Friday, North Korea’s state media said Kim ordered authorities to increase production of mobile launch vehicles for missiles during a visit to a munitions factory. Kim said the factory producing transport erectors, or TELs, is “very important” in bolstering North Korea’s national defense because of a military confrontation with its rivals.

According to an analyst at the Asan Institute, North Korea is estimated to have more than 200 launch vehicles, most likely to be used for intercontinental missiles.

“The Russia-Ukraine war is really a good opportunity for North Korea. It’s likely operating its weapons factories at their full capacities to satisfy Russia, a big customer,” Yang said.