Seoul, South Korea – A North Korean soldier captured in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has revealed the existence of extensive military training grounds in North Korea that simulate the terrain of major South Korean cities, including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island.
The revelation, reported by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on March 6th, has sparked renewed concerns about North Korea’s military intentions and its preparedness for potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the report, the defector, identified only as Mr. Lee, disclosed the information during an interview with Yoo Yong-won, a member of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, during a recent visit to Ukraine. Mr. Yoo shared the recorded interview on a SBS radio program.
Mr. Lee stated that the training facility, known as the Military Affairs Department Training Ground, located in Goksan County, North Hwanghae Province, features meticulously constructed replicas of key South Korean urban areas. These include detailed models of Seoul’s Jongno district, as well as terrain mimicking Busan, Daegu, Jeonju, and Jeju Island.
The existence of such a training ground, simulating the specific urban environments of South Korean cities, suggests a high degree of focus on potential military operations within those areas, commented Yoo Yong-won. When questioned about the possibility of a North Korean invasion, Mr. Yoo responded affirmatively, stating that North Korea is actively preparing for unforeseen circumstances.
Another North Korean prisoner of war, identified as Mr. Baek, stated that his motivation for fighting in Ukraine was simply a sense of duty as a soldier. He emphasized the importance of following orders without questioning the identity of the enemy, and further noted the alliance between Russia and North Korea.
The revelations come at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with ongoing concerns over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and its continued missile tests. The existence of these simulated South Korean cities for military training adds another layer of complexity to the already precarious security situation.
While the specific purpose and intensity of the training exercises remain unclear, the information provided by the North Korean defector offers a chilling glimpse into the potential strategies and targets considered by the North Korean military. Further investigation and analysis are warranted to fully assess the implications of this discovery.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, March 6). 朝军战俘：朝鲜黄海道设有模拟首尔地形的训练场 [North Korean Defector Reveals Simulated South Korean Cities for Military Training]. Retrieved from [Insert Original Article URL Here]
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