US, ROK forces train for subterranean combat in tunnels of North Korea



News US, ROK forces train for subterranean combat in tunnels of North Korea Drills inspired by underground warfare in Gaza likely include operations against WMD storage facilities, expert says Jeongmin Kim \| Joon Ha Park March 21, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON ROK army personnel during combined urban combat drills \| Image: ROK defense ministry (March 21, 2024) U.S. and South Korean armed forces are holding joint urban combat drills this week that closely simulate operations against North Korean underground tunnels following a “Hamas-style attack.” The drill involves army and special operations personnel and are scheduled to run from Monday to Friday in Paju near the inter-Korean border, according to the ROK army. “This training is planned to equip integrated joint operation capabilities in urban areas, focusing on understanding the U.S.-ROK joint Underground Facility operation concept, strengthening interoperability and mastering small unit operation capabilities considering urban area characteristics,” according to the ROK army press release. The urban warfare © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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US, ROK forces train for subterranean combat in tunnels of North Korea

Drills inspired by underground warfare in Gaza likely include operations against WMD storage facilities, expert says

Jeongmin Kim | Joon Ha Park March 21, 2024

US, ROK forces train for subterranean combat in tunnels of North Korea

ROK army personnel during combined urban combat drills | Image: ROK defense ministry (March 21, 2024)

U.S. and South Korean armed forces are holding joint urban combat drills this week that closely simulate operations against North Korean underground tunnels following a “Hamas-style attack.”

The drill involves army and special operations personnel and are scheduled to run from Monday to Friday in Paju near the inter-Korean border, according to the ROK army.

“This training is planned to equip integrated joint operation capabilities in urban areas, focusing on understanding the U.S.-ROK joint Underground Facility operation concept, strengthening interoperability and mastering small unit operation capabilities considering urban area characteristics,” according to the ROK army press release.

The urban warfare

About the Authors

Jeongmin Kim

Jeongmin Kim is Executive Director at Korea Risk Group, based in Seoul. She covers inter-Korean relations and North and South Korean foreign and military affairs. Kim has covered the 2022 ROK presidential election on the ground, and prior to joining NK News, she worked for the CSIS Korea Chair in Washington D.C. and Reuters news agency’s Seoul bureau.

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Joon Ha Park

Joon Ha Park is a correspondent at Korea Risk Group. He has previously written on issues related to the two Koreas at The Peninsula Report, and appeared on ABC News Australia, Deutsche Welle and Monocle Radio. He specializes in offering in-depth analyses of South Korea’s defense policy, security relations and domestic politics for Korea Pro.

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