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24468979
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Korean Military Situation (Working File) (3)
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24468979
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document
title
Korean Military Situation (Working File) (3)
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National Security Council East Asian and Pacific Affairs Staff Files (Ford Administration)
Working Files on Guam, Micronesia, and Korea
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Korea
Korea (South)
Korea (North)
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24468979
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1976-07-31
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7
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1976
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1976-04-01
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1976
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The original documents are located in Box 35, folder "Korean Military Situation (Working
File) (3)" of the NSC East Asian and Pacific Affairs Staff: Files, 1969-1977 at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 35 of NSC East Asian and Pacific Affairs Staff: Files, 1969-1977 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet
WITHDRAWAL ID 033396
REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL
ÇNational security restriction
TYPE OF MATERIAL
ÇMemorandum
CREATOR'S NAME
Jay Taylor
RECEIVER'S NAME
Brent Scowcroft
TITLE
Possible North Korean Initatives During
1976
CREATION DATE
04/22/1976
VOLUME
3 pages
COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID
033700538
COLLECTION TITLE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. NSC EAST
ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS STAFF FILES
BOX NUMBER
35
FOLDER TITLE
Korean Military Situation (Working
File) (3)
DATE WITHDRAWN
04/21/2011
WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST
TMH
2
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet
WITHDRAWAL ID 033397
REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL
ÇNational security restriction
TYPE OF MATERIAL
ÇReport
TITLE
North Korea May Have Army Light
Infantry Units
CREATION DATE
04/23/1976
VOLUME
10 pages
COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID
033700538
COLLECTION TITLE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. NSC EAST
ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS STAFF FILES
BOX NUMBER
35
FOLDER TITLE
Korean Military Situation (Working
File) (3)
DATE WITHDRAWN
04/21/2011
WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST
TMH
Sanitized 3/30/04
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
2
DIA REVIEWED 16-Oct-2003 SANITIZED FOR RELEASE IN PART
NORTH KOREA MAY HAVE ARMY LIGHT INFANTRY UNITS
(S/NOFORN) Brigade-sized light infantry units
are believed to exist in five of the eight North Ko-
rean Army corps. The 8th Corps, sometimes referred
to as the 8th Special Corps, contains four light
infantry brigades. The three forward corps -- 1st,
5th, and 2d -- each has two such units and the 4th
Corps has one. These brigades are believed to be
the army's elite forces. Although not yet confirmed,
light infantry battalions similar to the light in-
fantry brigades may exist in infantry divisions.
These battalions would be of great value as elite
vanguard forces during a major ground attack against
South Korea.
(S/NOFORN)
25x1
a North
Korean Army (NKA) infantry platoon leader who de-
fected on
25x1
, claims that a light infantry
battalion was supordinate to his organization, the
25x1
5th Corps, on the South
Korean border. He also said that the 73d Light
DECLASSIFIED, with postions exampted
Infantry Brigade (LIB) was subordinate to the 5th
Corps and that another brigade-sized unit, gen-
erally referred to as a "sniper brigade," existed
NLF, DATE 5/18/05
within the 5th Corps area.
(S/NOFORN) The NKA is believed to have 11 LIBs,
two of which are unlocated and unidentified but are
believed to be subordinate to the 5th Corps. Neither
light infantry battalions organic to infantry divi-
sions nor "sniper brigades" are presently included
in the NKA order of battle. Although information
AUTHORITY DIA RAC
concerning actual composition, structure, and mis-
sion of LIBs is sparse, it is now estimated that
each has 3,200 men organized into eight lightly
armed and equipped commando-type light infantry
battalions. Personnel have reportedly been trained
in such specialized missions as team- and small-unit
BY
GERALD
(Continued)
23 Apr 76
DIA Weekly Intelligence Summary
Page 11
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Deciassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
P
2
DIA REVIEWED 16-Oct-2003: SANITIZED FOR RELEASE IN PART
NORTH KOREA MAY HAVE ARMY LIGHT INFANTRY UNITS
(S/NOFORN) Brigade-sized light infantry units
are believed to exist in five of the eight North Ko-
rean Army corps. The 8th Corps, sometimes referred
to as the 8th Special Corps, contains four light
infantry brigades. The three forward corps -- 1st,
5th, and 2d -- each has two such units and the 4th
Corps has one. These brigades are believed to be
the army's elite forces. Although not yet confirmed,
light infantry battalions similar to the light in-
fantry brigades may exist in infantry divisions.
These battalions would be of great value as elite
vanguard forces during a major ground attack against
South Korea.
(S/NOFORN)
25x1
a North
Korean Army (NKA) infantry platoon leader who de-
fected on
25x1
, claims that a light infantry
battalion was subordinate to his organization, the
25x1
5th Corps, on the South
Korean border. He also said that the 73d Light
DECLASSIFIED, with postions exempted
Infantry Brigade (LIB) was subordinate to the 5th
Corps and that another brigade-sized unit, gen-
erally referred to as a "sniper brigade," existed
within the 5th Corps area.
AUTHORITY DIA RAC Review 10/16/03
NLF, DATE 5/18/05
(S/NOFORN) The NKA is believed to have 11 LIBs,
two of which are unlocated and unidentified but are
believed to be subordinate to the 5th Corps. Neither
light infantry battalions organic to infantry divi-
sions nor "sniper brigades" are presently included
in the NKA order of battle. Although information
concerning actual composition, structure, and mis-
sion of LIBs is sparse, it is now estimated that
each has 3,200 men organized into eight lightly
armed and equipped commando-type light infantry
battalions. Personnel have reportedly been trained
+
BY We
in such specialized missions as team- and small-unit
GERALD
(Continued)
23 Apr 76
DIA Weekly Intelligence Summary
Page 11
SECRET
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
ASSESSED LIGHT INFANTRY BRIGADE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Light Infantry
Brigade
430-0 2770-EM
Command
1-0
1-EM
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
Headquarters
Light Infantry
61-0
97-EM
Battalion
46-0 344-EM
-SECRET
General Staff
Political
Political Safety
Rear Service
Department
Signal Platoon
Department
Department
Department
THE
24-0
9-EM
6-0
I-EM
3-0
17-EM
27-0
1-0
28-EM
Command
1-EM
: 01 ON
Headquarters
Light Infantry
10-0
Company
8-EM
MAJOR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT
7-0
65-EM
7.62mm PISTOL
430
7.62mm ASSAULT RIFLE (AK)
2,570
7.62mm LMG (RP-46)
200
ANTITANK LAUNCHER (RPG-2)
200
82mm MORTAR
UNKNOWN
TRUCK (GAZ-69)
5
TRUCK (CARGO)
42
RADIO
61
AMBULANCE
1
MOBILE KITCHEN
9
SECRET
GERALD
FORD
LIBRARY
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
SLGTET
reconnaissance, ambush, line-of-communication (LOC)
interdiction, assassinations, raids, and other
special warfare- or special forces-type operations
behind enemy lines.
25x1
indicated that light in-
fantry battalions subordinate to NKA infantry divi-
sions were established beginning in 1969 at the di-
rection of President Kim Il-song. Subsequently,
25x1
claimed that the 73d LIB was activated directly sub-
ordinate to the 5th Corps.
(st Prior to 1969, foot reconnaissance stations
(FRS) were deployed in the forward areas along the DMZ.
Their primary missions were reconnaissance and assist-
ing North Korean agents to infiltrate through the DMZ
into South Korea. FRS units also conducted cross-
border raids. When the FRS were reportedly disbanded
during major reorganizations in 1969-70, the LIB be-
came a partial replacement. DMZ-reconnaissance and
agent-infiltration activities were apparently not in-
cluded among its missions. Recorded DMZ incidents
declined from 542 during 1968 to only 71 in 1970.
(C/NOFORN) Although
25x1
could not provide a de-
tailed list of LIB equipment, he did claim to have
seen certain major items associated with these units.
For example, LIB personnel were issued 7.62-mm AK-47
assault rifles that are lighter than the standard
fixed wooden-stock model issued to divisional infan-
try personnel. This weapon is probably a North
Korean-produced weapon similar to the Soviet AKM
with a folding metal stock.
(S) In addition, 60-mm mortars and RPG-7 anti-
tank grenade launchers were reportedly organic to
the brigade. Although these weapons systems have
not been confirmed in the LIB arsenal, it is con-
ceivable that they were locally produced or pro-
cured models designed for units whose missions
require speed, stealth, and rapid mobility. In
(Continued)
FORD LIBRARY is GENALD
23 Apr 76
DIA Weekly Intelligence Summary
Page 12
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30.: NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5.
SECRET
25X1
FORD
s
GERALD
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
SECRET
the case of the 60-mm mortar, it could be a North
Korean-produced version similar to the Chinese Type
31 (M1942) or the improved Type 63, which is much
lighter and easier to handle.
(S/NOFORN)
25x1
also said that LIB training
emphasized offensive and ambush operations as well
as activities in mountainous terrain. Earlier in-
formation had indicated that LIB personnel were
instructed primarily in unconventional warfare and
special forces-type tactics to be conducted behind
enemy lines.
(S) The reference to offensive operations is
particularly interesting. The two DMZ tunnels con-
structed by the North Koreans and discovered in
November 1974 and March 1975, respectively, were
obviously designed for infiltrating personnel be-
hind South Korean forward defenses. In a coordi-
nated offensive against the South, light infantry
units would most likely use these tunnels. These
lightly armed and equipped personnel would be em-
ployed against the rear areas of the forward South
Korean divisions, forcing them to fight on two
fronts. These tactics would create confusion and
chaos in division command posts and support areas
and perhaps more importantly, deny resupply and
reinforcements. Armed with small arms, 60-mm
mortars, and RPG-7 rocket launchers, such a
battalion/brigade force would be difficult to
destroy or dislodge quickly and could be instru-
mental in aiding a major breakthrough by regular
NKA forces.
(s) It is misleading to categorize the LIB
as an "unconventional warfare" force. If LIB
forces have been trained for offensive tactics,
they have the capability to augment regular infan-
try divisional forces in offensive operations, to
act independently for short periods behind enemy
lines, and to combine with other combat forces in
a coordinated assault.
(Continued)
FORD LIBRAR is DERALD
23 Apr 76
DIA Weekly Intelligence Summary
Page 13
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Deciassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5.
SECRET
25X1
GERALD R. FORD
LIDRARY
-SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
(S/NOFORN)
25x1
recalled two types of training
facilities in the 12th Division area that were used
for conventional offensive operations by personnel
of the light infantry battalion. He said the first
contained five or six dummy tanks constructed to
scale from concrete and wood. These mock-ups were
used for "tank-destruction training."
25x1
25x1
25x1
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL) The second training facility
described by 25x1 was an HONEST JOHN surface-to-air
guided-missile site. The dummy missile was said to
be the only training device used and was constructed
of small logs less than one and one-half meters long.
25x1
(S/NOFORN) According to
25x1
descrip-
tion, the light infantry battalions organic to the for-
ward infantry divisions would operate in South Korea
up to a depth of 16 kilometers, whereas corps light
infantry brigades would penetrate 40 kilometers. Thus,
light infantry battalions would operate under divisional
control against military targets along and to the rear
of the South Korean forward edge of the battle area.
Forward corps LIBs would operate against deeper mili-
tary targets within the areas of responsibility of the
1st and 3d Republic of Korea Armies. It would logi-
cally follow that 8th Corps LIBs could be intended
for long-range penetration missions; for example,
against targets in the 2d Republic of Korea Army.
(Continued)
23 Apr 76
DIA Weekly Intelligence Summary
Page 14
SECRET
GEERLO & FORD
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-INSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5,
SECRET
25X1
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_FA-35-2-2-5
(S/NOFORN) Although not intended primarily for
unconventional warfare, divisional and corps-level
light infantry units would certainly be capable of
such operations. In conjunction with a major NKA
attack across the DMZ, their primary missions would
be to assault and ambush such specified targets as
command posts, LOCs, artillery, armor, and surface-
to-air missile units to the rear of the forward or
frontline South Korean defensive forces, as well as
similar targets deeper within the combat zones of
the 3d and 1st Republic of Korea Armies. The North
has very likely organized special light infantry bat-
talions organic to at least the frontline infantry
divisions to function in a fashion similar to the
corps' light infantry brigades.
(S/NOFORN/WNINTEL) Although reliable informa-
tion on NKA divisional light infantry battalions is
sparse, it is becoming increasingly apparent that
Pyongyang will continue to emphasize the development
of a highly flexible special-warfare force designed
primarily for offensive operations. In recent years,
there has also been increasing evidencf2 light in-
fantry unit training, pointing to a comparable em-
phasis by the North Koreans on improving these forces.
(XGDS-2 Declassify upon notification of originator)
25x1
DIR-2C
25x1
DIR-5E
FURD
BERALD
LIBRAR
23 Apr 76
DIA Weekly Intelligence Summary
Page 15
-CECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NO Objection 10 Deciassification 2004/03/30 : NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5,
SECRET
25X1
GERATE FORD GRAND
SECRET
No Objection To Declassification 2004/03/30 NLF-NSC_EA_PA-35-2-2-5
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet
WITHDRAWAL ID 033641
REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL
ÇNational security restriction
TYPE OF MATERIAL
ÇReport
DESCRIPTION
Re North Korea
CREATION DATE
05/16/1976
VOLUME
13 pages
COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID
033700538
COLLECTION TITLE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. NSC EAST
ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS STAFF FILES
BOX NUMBER
35
FOLDER TITLE
Korean Military Situation (Working
File) (3)
DATE WITHDRAWN
05/11/2011
WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST
TMH
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet
WITHDRAWAL ID 033642
REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL
ÇNational security restriction
TYPE OF MATERIAL
ÇReport
DESCRIPTION
Re North & South Korea
CREATION DATE
06/04/1976
VOLUME
1 page
COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID
033700538
COLLECTION TITLE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. NSC EAST
ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS STAFF FILES
BOX NUMBER
35
FOLDER TITLE
Korean Military Situation (Working
File) (3)
DATE WITHDRAWN
05/11/2011
WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST
TMH
5
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Presidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet
WITHDRAWAL ID 033643
REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL
ÇNational security restriction
TYPE OF MATERIAL
ÇCable
DESCRIPTION
Re North Korea
CREATION DATE
07/26/1976
VOLUME
2 pages
COLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID
033700538
COLLECTION TITLE
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER. NSC EAST
ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS STAFF FILES
BOX NUMBER
35
FOLDER TITLE
Korean Military Situation (Working
File) (3)
DATE WITHDRAWN
05/11/2011
WITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST
TMH