These include border surveillance, human intelligence and Pyongyang-Hamas links. Joint live-fire exercises with US forces on October 25-27 were billed as targeting “large-scale Hamas-like surprise artillery attacks.” Hamas-North Korea ties are not close despite arms transfers. Pyongyang is pro-Palestine, but has in the past held secret talks with Israel.
Kim Jong-un will keep provoking the South, but in limited ways which carry no risk of massive retaliation and wider hostilities.
While a tense border suggests similarities, the primary threat to Seoul arises from Pyongyang’s WMDs and related risks of miscalculation.
The South’s right-wing government deems citizens complacent about North Korea. It also seeks cover to abrogate 2018’s military accord.
Pyongyang’s weapon of choice (because deniable) will be cyberattacks.
