Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

30% of the 9000 soldiers who have volunteered to offer security for the Olympics will be completely deployed in the field by early February. The torch relay will be held in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) area from the 19th to 26th. Routes symbolizing the peaceful hosting of the Olympics are currently under discussion.

With about a month to go for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Jeong, Kyeong-doo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), checked on the mission performance posture and offered words of encouragement to soldiers during his January 12 visits to on-site command posts in PyeongChang and Gangneung, where security operations are being performed.

As Chairman Jeong was being briefed on the current status of security operations and management support for the Olympics, he asked the soldiers to “do their best to uphold a firmer military readiness posture and to offer military support for the successful hosting of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics in peace and harmony." Checking facilities, including the Olympic main stadium, in addition, he commanded the completion of a mission performance posture against any acts of terrorism and unexpected situations that may arise as a result of activities conducted by international terrorist organizations such as ISIS.

Chairman Jeong made his next visit to the Organizing Committee for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and promised full military capability commitment for the successful hosting of the Olympics.

During a meeting with Lee, Hee-beom, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Chairman Jeong pledged to “offer full military support, including personnel, equipment, and supplies necessary for the safe and successful hosting of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, a winter festival for people all around the world."

This on-site guidance by Chairman Jeong only a month ahead of the Olympics was conducted with the aim of ensuring close cooperation and support systems among related agencies, including military security operations command, the organizing committee, and the police, and to reiterate the firm Korean military readiness posture backing up a peaceful and successful hosting of the Olympics.

The military is sparing no effort, having mobilized about 9,000 soldiers, to support the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Centering around personnel for the operations requiring a lot of practice, such as awards ceremonies, cultural events, and protocols, about 30% of the reinforcements who have been already deployed to the site are working in extremely cold weather conditions. The remainder are engaged in full preparations in performing their ultimate duty, defense of the nation, and will be deployed sequentially to Olympic sites up until early February, according to the schedule.  

"Soldiers are being deployed to the mission site on the schedule agreed upon between the military and the Organizing Committee. We will do our best to go  ahead with a series of procedures, including the deployment of soldiers, full awareness of missions, and adaptation to the site," said Colonel Ji, Jun-i, chief of the defense ministry's practical affairs division supporting the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.  

Meanwhile, the military is paying full attention to support the torch relay to be held in the DMZ area from the 19th to the 26th. This torch relay in frontline areas, joined by soldiers actually serving in the DMZ area, plays a crucial role in spreading the message of peace, saying the PyeongChang Winter Olympics will be peaceful games hoping to initiate inter-Korean reconciliation.  

According to the defense ministry's practical affairs division, there are close discussions with related departments about the most meaningful choice of routes and torch runners, so that the torch relay in frontline areas can become a place for inter-Korean peace, helping overcome the tragedy of national division.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>