Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“North Korean nuclear and missile threats are real, not virtual”

Kim Jong Un’s unpredictable personality…extreme risks

Firm and strong punishment, without hesitation, when we are provoked

UFG training, training to protect our liberal democracy

Only a solid security posture can break the vicious cycle of the North’s brutality

On August 24, President Park Geun-hye ordered the military to punish North Korea firmly and powerfully if they provoke us, saying, “There is a high possibility that the risk of North Korean nuclear and missile threats will be realized, considering that North Korea has a preposterous decision-making system led by one person under the dictatorship of Kim Jong Un, and his character is highly unpredictable.”

President Park made an inspection of the forward corps of the central front this afternoon, and received a report about the military readiness posture. She said, “North Korea has been carrying out nuclear experiments and long-range missile launches since the beginning of the year, and recently, they have not hesitated even to threaten a flagrant preemptive strike. Even at dawn today, the North fired an SLBM using a submarine. Their nuclear and missile threats are no longer virtual threats, but are realistic threats, and the threats are fast approaching.”

She continued, “Given that their economic difficulties are deepening and even high-ranking officials have been fleeing in succession, North Korea is likely to provoke us in various ways in order to prevent internal unrest. Considering the situation, the role and mission of our military forces are more important than ever.”

Also, she ordered firm and strong punishment without any hesitation in the event of provocation from the North, praising the hard-working soldiers who have become our reliable support in a crisis, and wishing for victory.

Regarding UFG training, she mentioned, “Like the name ‘Ulchi Freedom Guardian’ implies, this training is to complete our mission, which is the protection of our liberal democracy. We need to prepare a strong security posture and gather our strength with the international community, so that we can break the cycle of North Korean provocations and brutalities and open a new era.”

She also expressed her trust in the military forces. She said, “Our military was proved to be so reliable with its quick and firm reaction during the shelling provocation by North Korea last year. The North Korean leadership has been shattered by our reaction posture and responses, and they keep constantly emphasizing that they must never forget the shame of August.”

She also said, “We can see our firm response has reduced their will to provoke, by showing the North that brinksmanship will work no longer.”

This visit marked the first inspection of the forward corps during the period of UFG exercise, and around 60 commanders and major corps officials including Chief of the National Security Office Kim Kwan-jin, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo, and Army Commander General Jang Jun-gyu accompanied the President. President Park checked our major combat equipment which is actually being operated when carrying out missions in the field and listened to relevant reports at the command operations center where exercises are actually being held to check our army’s firm readiness posture. On this topic, Cheongwadae said, “President’s inspection of the forwards corps has been arranged in consideration of the possibility of extreme provocations by North Korea to reverse the situation while their unrest with the system is increasing due to strong sanctions.”

Prior to this, Cheongwadae summoned a standing committee of the national security council (NSC), hosted by the head of National Security Office Kim Kwan-jin, this morning and discussed countermeasures against the North’s SLBM firing.

By Joo-Hyeong, Lee < jataka@dema.mil.kr >
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