Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Lee Jong-sup conducts map exercise on a pan-governmental level

During the exercise, participants check measures to prepare for a scenario in which North Korea’s plan to use nuclear weapons is confirmed;

Share matters to be handled by related ministries and ways to cooperate

Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup stressed the importance of integrating pan-governmental efforts while conducting an exercise to prepare for a scenario in which North Korea’s plan to use nuclear weapons is confirmed.

“As part of the Ulchi exercise, a map exercise was conducted to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats. Presided over by Minister Lee, the map exercise was attended by top military officials, including Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-kyum, and officials from eight government ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety,” the ministry said in a statement on August 24.

Due to the increasing nuclear and WMD threats from North Korea, the map exercise was pushed forward on a pan-governmental level, with the aim of integrating the efforts of the military with those of other government ministries on the basis of the ROK-US alliance and come up with an effective response plan.

During the exercise, the participants shared the measures to handle the issues which are within the remit of related ministries, including △ the safety of the people, △ disaster medical assistance, and △ communication with the people, as well as measures in the areas of diplomacy and military to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and WMD threats, and discussed a practical cooperative plan. Significantly, they conducted an in-depth discussion on the ROK-US alliance effort and measures on a pan-governmental level to accurately assess the state of North Korea’s advancing nuclear and WMD threats and deter and respond to it, the ministry said in a statement.

“We are in a security situation that is more serious than ever, as North Korea is repeating its missile launches and preparing its seventh nuclear test. It is more important than anything else for us to maintain a firm ROK-US combined defense posture in order to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and WMD, and to cooperate so that the US extended deterrence commitment can be implemented according to the plan,” Lee emphasized. Lee also conducted a careful check on the measures taken by each ministry to prepare for a scenario in which North Korea’s plan to use nuclear weapons is confirmed, commenting “we need to work hard by putting a top priority on deterring North Korea’s use of nuclear weapons and WMD.”

Regarding the areas in which a single ministry has limitations in responding, officials from related ministries built a consensus on the integration of improvements and supplements on a pan-governmental level.

Based on the problems identified through this exercise, the participants also agreed to supplement the wartime preparedness plan of each ministry and develop it every year through the government’s Ulchi exercise.

Lee asked the military and related ministries to “put their best efforts and attention toward protecting the lives and properties of the people,” stressing again the importance of integrating pan-governmental efforts to deter and respond to North Korea’s use of nuclear weapons and WMD, and expressing the hope that this exercise can help efforts move in this direction.

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

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