North Korea is preparing to expand the roles and missions of its intelligence units, while elevating its intelligence gathering and military reconnaissance capabilities amid observations that it aims to increase intelligence activities targeting South Korea.
On 10 July 2026, Yonhap News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s supreme leader, chaired the first expanded meeting of the 9th Central Military Commission on 9 July. The commission resolved to broaden the roles and missions of the intelligence bureau and general reconnaissance to counter potential enemy threats.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the meeting discussed ways to enhance combat readiness and develop the Korean People's Army. It approved a significant boost to military reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities, viewing the intelligence bureau and general reconnaissance as vital for monitoring threats and collecting critical intelligence.
Additionally, the meeting considered changes in senior military personnel, upgrading combat system infrastructure, increasing the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of nuclear forces, and plans to modernize military bases. Kim signed seven important military orders to advance these resolutions.
Analysts believe this move aims to strengthen intelligence operations against South Korea. Lim Eul-chol, a scholar from the East Asia Institute at Kyungnam University, indicated that North Korea may intensify more sophisticated operations such as cyberattacks, reconnaissance drone use, and spying on South Korea’s critical infrastructure.
Source: Yonhap