North Korea has transformed the General Reconnaissance Bureau (GRB) into the General Reconnaissance Information Bureau (GRIB), forming a unified agency that integrates satellite, cyber, signals, and human intelligence.
According to a source, the GRIB was first officially introduced in a statement by Pak Jong-chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, in mid-September of this year. However, the source claims the final decision on the reorganization was made in late June, following internal discussions that began in April.
The source explains that the existing GRB was reorganized by merging infiltration and covert operations capabilities with enhanced functions for satellite surveillance, cyber signal analysis, and human intelligence.
According to the source, the reorganization goes beyond a mere name change. It involves transforming the GRB from an organization specializing in military infiltration into a “military intelligence headquarters-style agency” capable of simultaneously conducting satellite surveillance and data analysis. This step is clearly aimed at enhancing the efficiency of intelligence activities and optimizing the collection and processing of information for strategic purposes.