Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“Fulfill duties silently, fixing eyes on the enemy only”

Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo emphasized “to protect people’s lives and national safety”

Strongly warned North Korea in responding to its provocation: “Provocation is self-destruction, let's make that clear”

Shared main defense policy…discussed pending issues of field forces

On November 24, Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo said, “Our army should protect the people’s lives and national safety by fulfilling its duties in a way that is stone silent, firmly fixing their eyes on the enemy, without the smallest jolt whatever the situation is”During the senior leader issues seminar for the end of 2016, he repeatedly asked that the military to focus on its core duties despite the rapidly changing domestic and overseas circumstances, saying that nothing comes ahead of the people's lives and national safety.

In terms of the North Korean situation, he warned, “while the international community continues its deterrence and suppression, North Korea's nuclear and missile threats are increasingly becoming more realized, enhanced and accelerated, and they are able to carry out strategic, operational provocations at any time to make turnover the situation. If the enemy provokes us, we will make it clear that provocation means self-destruction by punishing them firmly under consistent principles.”

And he also said, “While it is expected that there will be significant changes due to Donald Trump being elected U.S. president, the liquidity of the security order in Northeast Asia will greatly influence Korea as well. It is a very important time to build the optimum cooperative system towards the U.S., and continue maintaining and developing a firmer Korea-U.S. alliance than ever.”

He particularly emphasized the need for ▲firm and thorough arrangement of military response posture, ▲cultivating a strong military to defeat the enemy, ▲creating a lively army life with flexible unit operation, and ▲establishing a solid Korea-U.S. alliance and strong combined defense posture.

160 people participated in the meeting, including major commanders of the forces, chief of direct control organization, staff section chief, etc. and they evaluated our security circumstances, shared key contents of major defense policies and discussed pending issues of field forces.

A field commander said, “Considering that Kim Jong Un visited Mahapdo, Jangjaedo and Galdo, it is highly likely that there will be a provocation near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) region. We are preparing to destroy all enemy fighting forces, including provocation starting point and supporting forces.”

The commanders enhanced their understanding of Korea-U.S. combined deterrence and response posture development and Korea 3-axis systemic construction, exclusive organization, budget and reinforcement of fighting forces in area of capability enhancement to respond to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats. They also shared the view that it is necessary first to enhance the response organization against North Korean nuclear and missile threats in terms of carrying out defense reform.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (hereinafter referred to as JCS) held an operational commanders meeting in the afternoon hosted by JCS chairman Lee Sun-jin to determine the establishment of the military readiness posture.

The meeting was attended by around 100 people including each force’s operational commanders, chief of joint unit, the former general of the JCS, etc. They evaluated the North Korean military activities this year, then forecasted strategic, tactical provocative possibilities for the future. All operational commanders shared the concept of mission completion by type of predicted provocation, and expressed their determination to fulfill the mission performance of the military's duties in any circumstances.

Chairman Lee said, “Our army should not Jwa-go-uh-myon (Chinese Four-Characters Idiom which means ’looking before and after all about)’, but punish the enemy strictly if it provokes us. Operate the units elastically and flexibly, so that the forces can display their best fighting power at critical periods.”

Then, “Considering how the nuclear and missile threats of the North are becoming more enhanced day by day, General Security of Military Information Agreement is necessary in terms of military effectiveness. It is a very urgent matter at a national security level,” Chairman Lee continued.

By Byeong-No, Yun < trylover@dema.mil.kr >
By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >
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