| Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces | |
|---|---|
| 조선인민군 특수작전군 朝鮮人民軍 特殊作戰軍 Chosŏn-inmin'gun teugsujagjeongun | |
.png) Patch of the Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (2022-) | |
| Active | 30 October 1968–present |
| Country |  North Korea |
| Allegiance |  Workers' Party of Korea |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Special operations |
| Size | 200,000[1][2][3] |
| Part of |  Korean People's Army |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the General Staff | Korean People's Army Vice Admiral Ri Yong-gil |
| Commander-in-Chief of the Special Operations Forces | Colonel General Kim Yong Bok |
The Korean People's Army Special Operations Forces (KPASOF; Korean: 조선인민군 특수작전군; Hanja: 朝鮮人民軍 特殊作戰軍; Chosŏn-inmin'gun teugsujagjeongun) are the special forces of Korean People's Army. It performs military, political, and psychological operations. KPASOF actively tests South Korea; activities were detected in the decades following the Korean War.[4][5]
It is estimated that there are 200,000 SOF soldiers.[6]
- ^ "Military Stalemate: How North Korea Could Win a War with the US".
- ^ "2016 Defense White Paper" (PDF). Ministry of National Defense. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "North Korean Special Operations Forces: Hovercraft Bases (Part I)". 25 January 2018.
- ^ Parry, Richard Lloyd (June 24, 1998). "Captured sub shames North Korea". The Independent. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ Kristof, Nicholas D. (November 6, 1996). "One Commando Still At Large In Korea Submarine Manhunt". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ "N.Korea Boosts Special Forces, Conventional Arms".