Pyongyang: North Korea's ruling party military commission has called for expanding the functions of the country's intelligence bureau, state media reported Friday. The proposal was put forward during the first enlarged meeting of the ninth Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea a day earlier, KCNA reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting, chaired by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, 'suggested tasks and ways for expanding in a many-sided way the functions and missions of the General Reconnaissance and Intelligence Bureau' (GRIB). The bureau 'plays a pivotal role in controlling the potential enemies' threats and gathering key information, and enhancing its capability of military reconnaissance and intelligence activities in a radical way.'

The expansion of the intelligence bureau reflects North Korea's ongoing efforts to bolster its military capabilities. The GRIB is tasked with critical roles in surveillance and intelligence, which are essential for national security. This move is seen as a strategic enhancement aimed at better anticipating and countering foreign threats.

According to Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency, 'North Korea is believed to have expanded the General Reconnaissance Bureau, the country's spy agency, into the GRIB, in a bid to strengthen its capabilities of collecting and analyzing external intelligence.' The GRIB's existence was first made public in September 2025, with its chief, Ri Chang-ho, being identified as the leader of overseas operations units during a military parade in Pyongyang on February 25 this year, marking the ninth congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.