Simulated South Korean "Octagon" Military HQ reported in North Korea

(Source* Channel A News Top Ten youtube 11.16) North Korea- Gyeryong HQ replica set up for military exercise? Picture on left the North Korean model of the Gyeryong HQ (satellite image by Planet Labs); Right- image of actual ROK military HQ in Gyeryong. (google satellite image).

Channel A News Top Ten News reported today that the North Korean military has built a simulation of the ROK military services headquarters in Gyeryong, South Korea, at North Korean military training grounds in Yongbyun, North Korea, for military exercise purposes. Gyeryong is located just southwest of Daejun, in Chungcheongnam Provice. VOA broadcast the report on November 14 as reported in Chosun News. The location of the North Korean military training grounds where the structure was located was in Pyonganbuk provice, Yongbyon county, Goseong Ri (평안북도 영변군 고성리 ).

Cited by some analysts as further proof of North Korean hostile intent and duplicity, it is alleged that the target simulation was constructed during the period of improving relations and summits between North and South Korea. The viewers were reminded of the preparation of a similar target in North Korea during 2016 which simulated the Blue House during a time when discussions of "decapitation missions," by US and ROK special forces units against North Korea were common. The Channel A analysts varied in their commentary from views that the Moon administration was in denial of the North's true intentions, to references to periodic indications that major US-ROK joint military exercises could resume, the failure of the North to obtain sanctions relief and the recent US-ROK joint exercises near Pohang.

(Source VOA 11.16) Stephen Beigun, US special envoy to North Korea. US- South Korean working group to meet next week.

Today's VOA program reported that Stephen Beigun's US-ROK working group rould have it's first meeting next week. The meeting of President Moon Jae In with Vice President Mike Pence at the Singapore ASEAN conference was also reported. CNN confirms that Pence said the US was "backing down" on a requirement for North Korea to provide a full list of nuclear and missile sites before a second meeting between Trump and Kim. This seems to present a misleading view of the Vice President's otherwise hard line position on negotiating with North Korea, especially on sanctions issues which are a sensitive point in connection with the Moon administration's plans for economic cooperation with North Korea. See my October 31 commentary - US "working group" to restrain ROK inter-Korean policy.