Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Shin Won Sik conducted an on-site inspection for the readiness posture of the Special Warfare Command

He was briefed on South Korea/US combined special forces training, etc.

He visited South Korea/US Combined Forces Command CP-Tango to encourage soldiers

National Security Office Director Chang Ho-jin visited the B-1 bunker.

On March 11, soldiers of the South Korea's 13th Special Mission Brigade and the US Army First Special Forces Brigade under US Special Operations Command-Korea (SOCKOR) conducted a combined South Korea/US special forces exercise at the training ground of the Special Warfare School of the Army Special Warfare Command.

With the 2024 Freedom Shield (FS) exercise in full swing, Defense Minister Shin Won Sik visited the Special Warfare Command on March 13 to inspect defense readiness and encourage special forces soldiers.

Minister Shin received a briefing from the commanding officer of the Special Warfare Command on the anti-terrorism readiness posture and South Korea-US combined special forces training.

The Special Warfare Command has been conducting the South Korea/US special forces exercise as part of the FS exercise with the Naval Special Warfare Flotilla (UDT/SEAL), the Air Force Combat Control Team (CCT), and the US Army First Special Forces Brigade since March 8. In particular, South Korea/US special forces soldiers have mastered highly advanced combat skills such as mop-up operations to destroy key facilities using combined force.

Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, said at the briefing, “It is likely that North Korea may attempt various provocations, including terrorist attacks, given the political timetable at home and abroad. In such event, we will immediately mobilize forces and strongly suppress and punish the enemy based on the principle of “punish immediately, strongly, till the end.”

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik (far left) visits the South Korea/US Combined Forces Command CP-Tango on March 13 to encourage meritorious officers participating in the FS combined exercise.

Minister Shin urged, “If Kim Jong Un starts a war, you must be the world’s strongest special warfare unit that can immediately eliminate the enemy’s leadership as the core unit of Korea Massive Punishment & Retaliation (KMPR).”

Minister Shin also visited the South Korea/US Combined Forces Command CP-TANGO to inspect the status of the FS exercise and to uplift the morale of South Korea and US soldiers engaged in the exercise. The Command Post-Theater Air Naval Ground Operations (CP-TANGO) is a wartime command post for coordinating land, naval, air force, and theater operations during times of war.

Hailing the soldiers’ efforts, Minister Shin said, “I am relieved to see South Korea and US soldiers participating in the combined exercise to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

He added, “Through this exercise, we must master the operational performance system that neutralizes North Korea’s nuclear missile network at an early stage, and further strengthen operational capabilities to overwhelm the enemy in all arenas, including ground, sea, air, space, cyber and electromagnetic fields.”

Meanwhile, National Security Officer Director Chang Ho-jin visited the B-1 bunker and was briefed on the progress of the FS exercise and encouraged soldiers of the South Korea/US Combat Staff Group of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Office of the President.

Director Chang expressed satisfaction with the conduct of this exercise, which focused on the hybrid threats reflecting the latest security situations, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, cyber and electromagnetic warfare, and the possibility of grey zone attacks and fake news provocations. He assessed that the combined field maneuver exercise, which was expanded to 48 events for this exercise, will further enhance South Korea and US combined operational capabilities.

He also said that 12 member countries of the United Nations Command (UNC) participated in the exercise this year, further cementing the solidarity of the United Nations Command (UNC) and the international community for the defense of the South Korea.

Director Chang expressed deep confidence in the soldiers of the Combat Staff Group of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commending their unwavering dedication throughout the entire 11-day exercise. He noted their diligent performance of duties without any signs of slackness even on its 10th day. He further urged for the successful completion of the combined exercise.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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