Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister of National Defense stresses the need for a “defense posture against non-conventional security threats" for the long run

During his visit to the Armed Force CBR Defense Command, Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo checked its defense posture against non-conventional security threats

He emphasized the early promotion of a plan to preserve combat power in wartime and peacetime;

securing specialized equipment to prepare against infectious diseases 

He also encouraged soldiers engaged in support for COVID-19-related quarantine and sterilization

On March 23, Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo visited soldiers who are dealing with the challenge of protecting the public from nonconventional security threats, and praised them for their hard work.

During his visit to the Armed Force Chemical/Biological/Radiological (CBR) Defense Command later in the day, Jeong checked its defense posture against nonconventional security threats while encouraging the soldiers providing support for quarantine and sterilization efforts with the goal of halting the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

After being briefed on the current status of the Command's support of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, Jeong said the role of the military on a defense level has become increasingly important in protecting the safety and lives of the people from nonconventional security threats, such as infectious disease, terror, and disasters.

“Significantly, it is necessary for the military to be aware of its capability to defend against nonconventional security threats like COVID-19. In the long run, the military needs to be prepared to increase its capability to provide support on a national level to effectively defend against these various types of nonconventional security threats,” Jeong stressed, while ordering the Armed Force CBR Defense Command to push forward early with planning and researching, in order to protect the safety and lives of the people from nonconventional security threats and to have the capability to preserve the military’s combat power in wartime and peacetime.

Jeong asked the Command to strengthen its mission posture to minimize damage by securing specialized equipment and supplies in preparation for the occurrence of any infectious disease similar to biological warfare, and to be ready to deploy an initial action unit within the 'golden hour,' while praising the hard work of soldiers who are devoting themselves to implementing quarantine measures at multiuse facilities including high-risk facilities after being deployed to the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, as well as other regions across the country.

Stressing the need to carefully check the health and living conditions of the soldiers who are working strenuously to fulfill their duties under difficult conditions, Jeong ordered the Command to make preemptive preparations to prevent any lack of protective clothing and gear should the COVID-19 situation be prolonged.

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr>
<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>