North Korea’s GPS jamming operations have caused disruptions to several ships and dozens of civilian aircraft in South Korea. The jamming activities originated from the areas around Haeju and Kaesong on November 8th and 9th, 2024.
North Korea recently conducted GPS jamming attacks. It disrupted several ships and dozens of civilian aircraft in South Korea, according to Seoul’s military. These jamming activities occurred on November 8 and 9, near Haeju and Kaesong. The attacks raised operational difficulties for vessels and aircraft in the region. In response, South Korea’s military has warned North Korean forces to stop these actions and promised accountability for any resulting incidents.
This event follows North Korea’s recent missile test of a new, powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It marks its first launch since allegations surfaced of Pyongyang sending troops to assist Russia in the Ukraine conflict. To demonstrate its own readiness, South Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea on November 8. This is a move intended as a firm response to any North Korean provocations. The South’s military further advised vessels and aircraft in the Yellow Sea to be vigilant against such jamming efforts.
Relations between the Koreas are particularly tense, marked by increased North Korean missile activity. This action violates United Nations sanctions and a recent uptick in other provocations. Since May, the North has been launching balloons filled with waste across the border as a counter-response to anti-Pyongyang materials sent by South Korean activists. Earlier in the year, North Korea attempted similar GPS disruptions. Meanwhile problematic, did not directly impact South Korea’s military operations.
Analysts view these jamming attacks as potentially risky, particularly in high-traffic areas where miscommunication could lead to accidents. Yang Moo-jin, an expert on North Korean studies, noted that these actions might be an effort to distract from the North’s involvement in foreign conflicts or to create fear among South Koreans. Ahn Chan-il, a defector and researcher on North Korean issues, suggested that Pyongyang may use these attacks to secure its own sensitive communications during military operations.
North Korea’s support for Russia’s Ukraine campaign has also raised alarm internationally. Western allies, including the U.S., accuse North Korea of sending artillery shells, missiles, and reportedly even troops to assist Moscow. In a shift from past policies, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recently hinted at the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine as Pyongyang’s alliance with Moscow deepened. It also signals a potential new chapter in South Korea’s security posture.
