Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

A thorough defense posture will reassure the public and promote stability

Chairman of the JCS Lee Sun-jin checked security and operational readiness posture
“The military is the last line of defense in our national security. We should keep defending the country without wavering.”

Right after the National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching President Park on December 9, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo presided over a videoconference with major commanders of the whole force, while chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Lee Sun-jin visited the front line GOP unit on the 10th, racing to maintain a firm defense posture.

Minister Han said, “There’s a strong likelihood that North Korea could carry out strategic and tactical provocations given the political transition in the US as well as our own unstable domestic political circumstances. The more difficult situations the country faces, the more important the role of our forces. Make doubly sure to maintain a thorough defense posture so that our people feel reassured and stable.”

As well, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee, who conducted an ’emergency operational commanders meeting’ immediately after the conference, said “All soldiers around commanders should realize how serious the current situation is, and maintain more determined and firmer readiness posture with the military spirit of service and devotion to the country.”

He also visited the GOP unit, the front line of the central east area, on December 10, to check our army’s security and operational readiness posture. He asked that  the unit soldiers as the last line of defense in our national security have to concentrate on completing their mission of national defense without wavering at times like this, saying that North Korea is highly likely to carry out raid provocations with the aim of dividing public opinion, taking advantage of the current political instability.

A JCS official said, “This visit to the operational site was arranged to remind us of how serious the current situation is, and confirm our firm military readiness posture.”

The MND and JCS ordered commanders of each unit to adopt a full defensive readiness posture, not breaking away from the border area and standing by where they should be.

JCS strongly condemns North Korea for striking training towards Cheongwadae

Meanwhile, referring to North Korea's December 11 training for a strike towards Cheongawdae and our key figures, led by Kim Jong-un, the JCS made its position clear that it strongly condemned this aggressive provocation, and that if the North attempts any further provocations, it will be strongly and firmly punished so that the North Korean leadership suffers a fatal blow.

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