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North Korea executed GPS jamming operations on Friday and Saturday, according to the South Korean military. This activity impacted numerous vessels and several civilian aircraft within South Korea. The jamming incidents occurred approximately one week after North Korea conducted a test launch of what it claimed to be its most advanced solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), marking its first such test since allegations arose regarding the deployment of its soldiers to assist Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.
In response, South Korea launched its own ballistic missile into the sea on Friday, demonstrating its commitment to countering any provocations from the North.
Seoul’s joint chiefs of staff reported on Saturday that “North Korea engaged in GPS jamming provocations in Haeju and Kaesong on November 8-9,” noting that several ships and numerous civilian aircraft were facing “operational disruptions” as a consequence of these actions.
The military cautioned vessels and aircraft operating in the Yellow Sea to remain vigilant against such jamming attacks. They strongly urged North Korea to halt its GPS provocations and warned that it would be held accountable for any resulting issues.
Tensions on the peninsula have reached unprecedented levels in recent years, as North Korea has conducted a series of ballistic missile launches, contravening United Nations sanctions.
Additionally, since May, it has been sending balloons filled with refuse into South Korea, claiming this action is a response to anti-Pyongyang propaganda disseminated by activists in the South. North Korea has emerged as a prominent and vocal supporter of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Seoul and Western nations have long accused Pyongyang of supplying artillery shells and missiles to Moscow for use in the conflict. Recent intelligence reports suggest that North Korea has dispatched approximately 10,000 troops to Russia, indicating a deeper involvement in the war and provoking strong reactions from Seoul, Kyiv, and Western governments.
South Korea, a significant arms exporter, has traditionally adhered to a policy of refraining from supplying weapons to nations engaged in conflict.
However, President Yoon Suk Yeol stated this week that Seoul is now considering the possibility of directly supplying weapons to Ukraine, in light of North Korea’s military assistance to Moscow. On Friday, the presidential office in Seoul reported an increase in cyber attacks from pro-Russian hacking groups targeting South Korea, following the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia’s efforts in Ukraine.
