[9][3][10] The RGB was established in 2009 to consolidate various intelligence and special operations agencies of the North Korean government, meaning that units previously tasked with "political warfare, foreign intelligence, propaganda, subversion, kidnapping, special operations, and assassinations" were merged into one single organization.

[11] In August 2010, an RGB agent posing as a defector was caught by South Korean police for planning to assassinate Hwang Jang-yop, who had defected from North Korea in 1997.

[13] "Kim" also said "I can tell you that North Korean operatives are playing an active role in various civil society organisations as well as important institutions in South Korea.".

[18] The structure of the RGB is as follows as of 2021:[1][19] Reconnaissance missions are also partially overseen by the General Staff Department (GSD) of the Korean People's Army (KPA).

"[11] The RGB appears to report directly to the National Defence Commission, as well as Kim Jong Un as the supreme commander of the KPA.