Page 79 - 2020 Defence White Paper

during the verification of denuclearization and devise concrete support measures.
However, until North Korea’s threats are substantively reduced, the MND will
maintain its military readiness posture to counter nuclear and missile threats
from North Korea and will continue the force buildup as planned. If a complete
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is achieved and a permanent peace regime
is established following a substantial reduction of North Korea’s threats, the MND
will readjust the ROK Armed Forces’ readiness posture and force requirements to
actively respond to various nuclear and missile threats at that point of time. Chapter 3

2. Development of Capabilities Against Chemical and Biological Threats

Development of CBRN The ROK Armed Forces actively seeks various mea-
Readiness Posture sures to not only respond to North Korea’s chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats
but also transnational and nonmilitary threats such as CBRN related accidents
terrorism and infectious diseases.
Having established a close ROK–US combined defense system, the ROK Armed
Forces continues to monitor North Korea’s CBRN-related activities using combined
intelligence assets and maintains a readiness posture that can detect early signs of
attack and neutralize them in contingencies. Also, CBRN units and medical units are
organized at each echelon to establish CBRN reconnaissance, decontamination, and
treatment system. The ROK Armed Forces has acquired protective equipment and

materials, such as gas masks, protective gears, decontamination agents, and related
medicine, and has built CBRN protection facilities to further improve its protection
capabilities. In particular, the ROK Armed Forces is strengthening its CBRN
protection, detection and identification capabilities by field deploying new CBRN
equipment that has applied cutting-edge science technology.
Meanwhile, the ROK Armed Forces employs expanded regional CBRN Rapid
Response Teams (CRRTs) and national special task force units for CBRN terrorism
to promptly respond to CBRN-related accidents and terrorism, and continues to
develop military support measures such as establishing a CBRN response system
centered on the ROK CBRN Defense Command.

Government-wide Integrated Response and The ROK Armed Forces main-
Strengthening Cooperation with tains a government-wide in-
Relevant Agencies tegrated response posture to

Chapter 3. Safeguarding Peace by Establishing a Robust Defense Posture Against Omnidirectional Security Threats 77