Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Suh appears on ‘Defense Square’ program, Defense FM TV
Emphasized need to maintain a firm readiness posture against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats
Vowed to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities at the ROK-US alliance level
Presented plan to improve the defense environment trusted by the people

he Minister of National Defense emphasized the need to maintain a firm military readiness posture to prepare against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. Significantly, Suh clarified his willingness to come up with a plan to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities at the ROK-US alliance level.

Regarding the conflict between the United States and China, Suh explained that the ministry had established another hotline with China’s navy and air force, in order to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula, adding that the ministry is discussing the expanded installation of a hotline with Russia, from Russia’s navy to air force. 

Suh made the statement while appearing on the ‘Defense Square’ program of Defense FM TV broadcast on February 1, adding that the ministry is pushing ahead with it, focusing on peace and stability in the region.

“We will be committed to accomplishing the military’s own missions, keeping the right way of defense under any circumstances,” Suh said, stressing that “this will pave the way for developing trusted and strong forces which can meet the needs and expectations of the people.”

Suh also presented the direction of defense management and core tasks, including△ establishing an omnidirectional defense posture and securing the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, △ accelerating the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) based on a firm ROK-US alliance, and △ enhancing the defense environment trusted by the people.

“Our military is building an omnidirectional defense posture, in order to protect the lives and properties of the people,” Suh said, adding that “we will stably manage military situations by strengthening the surveillance posture towards North Korea, and the deterrence and response capabilities for North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, maintaining a firm ROK-US combined defense posture.”

Regarding the assessment of the full operational capability for the future combined forces command, slated to be made this year, “the ministry has been developing the assessment plan by forming an ROK-US joint working level group since last December, and is also working closely to discuss how to implement it,” Suh said, adding that “the assessment result will be verified at the ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).”

Suh introduced the ministry’s omnidirectional improvement measures for the defense environment trusted by the people, which include setting up and verifying an artificial intelligence (AI)-based security system at a specific area of the general outpost (GOP) of the 22nd Infantry Division, expanding an automatic surveillance and tracking system through an AI analysis in the western portion divisions of the Army, developing a ‘smart military unit’ pilot project, raising the average meal cost for service members and improving the clothes wearing system, establishing a military court under the direct control of the minister and a prosecutor’s office under the direct control of the chief of staff of each armed service, and enforcing the establishment of a military human rights protection officer in July.

Regarding the direction of the COVID-19 response, Suh commented that “the ministry is working to achieve a balance between guaranteeing soldiers’ human rights and quarantine control,” and went on to emphasize that “the ministry is pushing for measures to respond to the pandemic, including remodeling military hospitals to provide negative pressure wards, checking on the standards for facilities to use military facilities for multiple purposes, and securing research facilities to prevent and contain the pandemic.”

Ending the program, Suh said “I am certain that our military will be achieving many outcomes in 2022, if our soldiers and defense families work with a mindset of cooperating in harmony,” encouraging the soldiers and the civilian employees in the military who are committed to fulfilling their responsibility for their missions under difficult conditions.

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

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