Page 64 - 2018 Defense White Paper

peace zone in the West Sea will be carried out based on the recognition and respect for NLL in

conjunction with the setting of the joint f ishing zone to ensure safe f ishing activities and mutual
gains by the people of both Koreas. NLL is the practical maritime boundary line that the ROK
Armed Forces has f irmly defended through the years. The ROK Armed Forces will continue

to firmly adhere to the principle of observing NLL and will sternly respond to any type of
provocations against this demarcation line (NLL).
To prepare for North Korean provocations toward the northwest islands, the ROK Armed

Forces maintains its readiness posture through the continuous reinforcement of its surveillance,
reconnaissance, and strike forces including UAVs, maritime operation helicopters, and short-
range surface-to-surface guided weapons.

The ROK Armed Forces maintains a full readiness posture to firmly defend the ROK’s entire
territorial land, waters, and airspace in the East Sea, West Sea, and South Sea, including the
five northwest islands, as well as Marado Island, Ulleung-do Island, and Dokdo Island. Its
resolute commitment and readiness posture to defend Dokdo—the ROK’s territory historically

and geographically, and according to international laws as well—remain particularly strong.
The ROK Armed Forces is maintaining its air surveillance and immediate response posture

across the Korean Peninsula while reinforcing the air defense execution system, including
detection, identif ication, tracking, and strike procedures, in preparation against inf iltrations of
North Korean small UAVs.
To effectively respond to the changing operational environment, the ROK Armed Forces will

optimize its surveillance, decision-making, and strike systems on land, at sea, and in the airspace
of border areas, and continuously bolster its core f ighting capabilities.

| Maintaining a Readiness Posture against Other Types of Provocations | The ROK
Armed Forces has been enhancing the integrated defense system involving relevant government
organizations in preparation for potential terrorist and cyberattacks against critical national

infrastructure in the capital area and rear areas. To complete the posture for executing integrated

Dokdo promotional video
(Dokdo, beautiful island of Korea)

62 Chapter 3 Establishing a Robust Defense Posture against Omnidirectional Security Threats