Ahn Gyu-back visits a special security district under the Capital Defense Command and inspects key units.

Emphasizes strict adherence to basics and principles, rejecting complacency and formalism.

Orders thorough implementation of the planning–execution–verification–inspection system.

Calls for maintaining immediate readiness through realistic, combat-oriented training.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, second from right in the front row, receives a briefing from commanding officers during his visit to a guard and security unit under the Capital Defense Command’s special security district on May 4.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stressed the importance of maintaining a watertight guard and security posture over the consecutive holiday period, including Children’s Day, and inspected the air defense readiness posture against enemy drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Minister Ahn visited a guard and security unit under the Capital Defense Command’s special security district on May 4 to inspect its operational posture and facilities. He, who was briefed on operations by commanders of subordinate units in the operations command and control center via both on-site and video conference, emphasized the importance of guard and security operations in the special security district and the need for thorough execution.

Minister Ahn stated, “This unit, which is responsible for security operations in the special security district surrounding Cheong Wa Dae, is a strategic front-line unit. As the military strength and defense capabilities of the Republic of Korea are already at the highest level, please put in place a flawless operational readiness posture so that the public can feel secure.”

Afterward, he toured key guard and security facilities within the special security district and offered words of encouragement to the personnel on duty. He stated, “As you carry out your mission in close proximity to the public, you must always maintain military discipline as well as the highest level of guard and security posture. With the pride and honor of protecting the symbol of the Republic of Korea, devote yourselves to accomplishing your mission based on fundamentals and principles.”

He then visited an air defense position to inspect the air defense operational readiness posture.

Minister Ahn said, “The key to maintaining air defense operational readiness is thorough adherence to basics and principles. A complacent attitude that ‘nothing has gone wrong so far’ poses a significant risk, so you must foster a culture in which laxity and formalism are eliminated and every procedure is carried out strictly in accordance with established principles.”

He added, “The moment you overlook the importance of basics and principles, you simultaneously lose the unit's combat power and the trust of the people. Commanders must eliminate even minor risk factors in advance by thoroughly implementing the planning–execution–verification–inspection system.”

He also noted that, as new threats such as UAVs and drones have recently increased, the importance of air defense operations is growing accordingly. He told the soldiers, “The more advanced and sophisticated surveillance and strike assets become, the greater your sense of responsibility and mission must be.”

Then he emphasized, “Air defense operations are a battle where every second counts. You must maintain a watertight air defense posture that can respond instantly under any circumstances through realistic, combat-oriented training.”

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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