North Korea’s Military Security Command has ordered its military corps-level security departments to implement advanced surveillance systems starting January 2024 to strengthen management of secret communications.
According to a Daily NK military source recently, the command issued directives to the Third Corps’ security department on Jan. 2 outlining plans for separate wired and wireless networks and new surveillance infrastructure. “This is aimed at preventing information leaks and enhancing internal security protocols,” the source said.
The Military Security Command, which serves as the army’s counterintelligence arm, plays a crucial role in controlling the armed forces through covert operations, including secrets management and monitoring anti-regime activities.
The enhanced security measures follow criticism of military intelligence handling during the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee in late 2023. At the meeting’s military session, officials highlighted concerns about information leaks and internal control weaknesses, prompting the command to order upgraded security systems across corps-level departments.
“The command has specifically ordered installation of dedicated wired and wireless telegraph and telephone systems, along with specialized communication lines,” the source said. “This work is set for intensive implementation throughout January.”
The project aims to eliminate security risks by isolating military networks from external communications and ensuring secure data transmission. “The command has imposed strict controls on access to classified documents and mandated thorough inspections of document handling procedures – from writing to storage and transmission,” the source explained.
In response, the Third Corps’ security department is overhauling its secrets management system by reinforcing internal intranet security, expanding training programs, and implementing advanced surveillance systems with intrusion detection capabilities. These new systems can identify and block external hacking attempts in real-time.
While current inspections focus only on the security department’s dedicated communication lines and secrets management systems, some officials express anxiety about the stricter measures. “People are worried they could face severe punishment even for minor infractions,” the source added.
