North Korea orders expanded role for military intelligence agency

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered an expansion of the functions and responsibilities of the country's military intelligence agency to strengthen its ability to monitor "potential enemies," Yonhap reports. 

The directive was issued during the first enlarged meeting of the ninth Central Military Commission, held on July 9, where military leaders discussed improving the combat readiness and modernisation of the Korean People's Army, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

"The meeting suggested tasks and ways for expanding in a many-sided way the functions and missions of the General Reconnaissance and Intelligence Bureau (GRIB)," KCNA said, describing the agency as playing "a pivotal role in controlling the potential enemies' threats and gathering key information."

The report also called for enhancing the bureau's military reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities "in a radical way," but did not provide details on how the expansion would be carried out.

Analysts say the move is likely aimed at strengthening North Korea's intelligence operations against South Korea, including cyber capabilities and surveillance of critical infrastructure.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said it would "closely monitor" developments amid concerns over possible provocations by Pyongyang.

The meeting also discussed personnel changes within the military, modernisation of naval forces, upgrades to military infrastructure, and plans to strengthen North Korea's nuclear capabilities.

"The security and peace of the country and the people cannot be defended with the willingness alone," Kim said.

"Only when we build the strong army and control all and contain threats with its powerful strength, is it possible to achieve the true peace," he added.

By Sabina Mammadli