If Kim Kyok-sik still leads the 4th Corp he could cause some serious trouble. Sounds like that is one of their better army groups and stationed along the DMZ. It would be odd, I would think, to keep the commander of such an important army group off the list of dignitaries at Kim Jong-Il’s funeral.
First I’ve heard that the N. Korean military has raised its alert status. However, it doesn’t sound like they have necessarily mobilized in any sense of the word except to tighten up security in the cities.
North Korea raises security, has troops on alert: South Korea intel
Dec 21, 2011, 03.05PM IST
PYONGYANG: North Korea has tightened security in cities, put troops on alert and won loyalty pledges from top generals after leader Kim Jong Il’s death as it consolidates power behind his anointed heir, South Korean intelligence indicated Wednesday.
South Korea has put its military on high alert. In another sign of border tension, Chinese boatmen along a river separating North Korea and China told The Associated Press that North Korean police have ordered them to stop giving rides to tourists, saying they will fire on the boats if they see anyone with cameras.
South Korean military officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of office policies that restrict comment on intelligence matters, confirmed that North Korea has ordered its troops to be vigilant but said that doesn’t mean they’re being moved.
Unification Ministry spokesman Choi Bo-seon said in a briefing Wednesday that the government hasn’t spotted particular troop movements in North Korea. Military officials said they also haven’t noticed serious developments.