Page 73 - 2018 Defense White Paper

verif ication. The MND is also continuing its ef forts to manage military specialists that can be

utilized for the verif ication of denuclearization and devise concrete support requirements.
However, until North Korean threats are substantively reduced, the MND will maintain the
military readiness posture to counter nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and will

continue the force buildup as planned. If denuclearization is completed, threats from North
Korea are diminished substantively, and a peace regime is established on the Korean Peninsula,
the MND will readjust the readiness posture and force requirements to proactively respond to

various nuclear and missile threats arising at that point of time.

Chapter 3

2. Development of Preparedness Capabilities against Chemical

and Biological Threats

| Development of Readiness Posture against CBRN Threats | The ROK Armed Forces

has established various measures to proactively counter threats of chemical and biological
attacks, as well as chemical, biological, and radiological threats, in forms of accidents, terrorism,

and diseases.
Using the ROK–U.S. combined intelligence assets, the ROK Armed Forces continuously
monitors North Korea’s chemical and biological weapon–related facilities and maintains a
readiness posture to detect early signs of an attack and neutralize it. The chemical, biological,

radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) units at each echelon were organized to respond to North
Korea’s use of chemical and biological weapons and conduct reconnaissance and decontamination
missions in contaminated areas. Meanwhile, the CBRN Rapid Response Team (CRRT) and the

CBRN special mission battalion under ROK CBRN Defense Command are fully in charge
and exclusively responsible for operations against CBRN-related terrorism. Moreover, the ROK
Armed Forces has acquired protective equipment and materials, such as gas masks, protective

clothing, decontaminants, and related medicine, and has built CBRN defense facilities to further
improve its defense capabilities.

| Development of Civilian–Government–Military Integrated Exercises and Intra-
governmental Cooperation System | To facilitate agile response to acts of terrorism and
attacks involving chemical and biological weapons, civilian–government–military integrated

Section 2 Reinforcing Response Capabilities against Nuclear and WMD Threats 71