Over the past few weeks, North Korea’s leadership and state media have given significant attention to the military’s ability to defend and capture islands. Kim Jong Un and other officials inspected three island defense units and observed an island landing drill of the Korean People’s Army, all reported in state media. These events demonstrate a major military concern for Pyongyang: the ability to defend and maintain control of its islands and coast.

NEED FOR ISLAND DEFENSE

During the Korean War, UN forces took control over most islands around the Korean Peninsula by