Vol. 2, No. 1 - January 2011
A captured improved ford partially exposed by low water. This ford was apparently constructed using a framework of logs (possibly cribbing in spots) with a base of rocks and sandbags. Additional logs have been driven into the riverbed on either side of the roadway. (U.S. Army)
Articles in this issue include,
"Wartime “Underwater” Bridges," by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
During the Fatherland Liberation War (i.e., Korean War) both the Korean People’s Army (a.k.a., North Korean Army or North Korean People's Army), and later the Chinese Volunteer Army (CVA), had to cross numerous streams and rivers. Both armies were constantly required to resort to the tactical use of improvised, locally-constructed reinforced fords, footbridges and bridges. Many of these were deliberately, or due to river conditions, submerged below the level of water and were grouped together and identified as “underwater” bridges.
"Military Cooperation With Burundi," by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
North Korea established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Burundi Government of Capt. Michel Micombero (an ethnic Tutsi) on March 11, 1967. Since that time it has supported, both diplomatically and with military assistance and advisors, the numerous Tutsi led governments during that nation's long civil war with between the Tutsi dominated government military and its Hutu dominated population. North Korea is also reported to have occasionally used Burundi as a transshipment point for assistance to insurgent groups in Southern Africa.
"Kim Ok," by Michael Madden
A biography of Kim Ok by Michael Madden of North Korean Leadership Watch. Kim Ok is a section chief in the National Defense Commission and is believed to be Kim Cho’ng-il’s fifth common-law wife. She has worked as one of Kim Cho’ng-il’s subordinates since the late 1980s. According to some sources Kim Ok’s many years of service and daily access to Kim Cho’ng-il have established her as one of the regime’s hidden power players.
"Type-63 107 mm MRL," by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
The North Korean 107mm Type-63 multiple rocket launcher (MRL) is a domestically produced version of the Chinese Type-63 MRL. It first entered KPA service during the mid-1960s. Currently, it has been generally replaced in frontline service by vehicle mounted MRLs, but can be found in large numbers within rear area, Reserve Military Training and Red Guard units. This system has been factory- and field-mounted (without the wheels) on a wide variety small trucks, wheeled armored fighting vehicles and tracked vehicles, for export and domestic use. It has been exported to numerous countries and groups in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.
Additional Material
Editor’s Note and detailed Endnotes are also provided.