S.Korea orders army to prepare missiles against DPRK if necessary

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Dec 2023 16:24
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South Korea's Defense Secretary calls on the South Korean troops to "firmly punish" provocations by what they call 'the enemy', noting that they are a key unit in South Korea's "three-axis" deterrence system.

In this undated photo provided on August 21, 2023, by the DPRK, leader Kim Jong Un observes a test-firing of strategic cruise missiles. (KCNA via AP)

The South Korean military has been ordered by Defense Minister Shin Won-sik on Friday to prepare missiles to retaliate against the DPRK in a worst-case scenario.

As quoted by the Yonhap news agency, Shin stated, "Maintain a readiness posture at all times to immediately operate world-class, long-range, high-precision and high-power missiles when given the task."

The remarks were made during a visit to the army's missile strategic command, according to the news report.

NEW: The South Korean military will conduct annual computer-simulated drills against North Korean threats next week, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced Friday, emphasizing their importance following the collapse of an inter-Korean military deal. https://t.co/9l2a3EnecV
— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) December 8, 2023

Shin called on the troops to "firmly punish" provocations by what they call 'the enemy', noting that they are a key unit in South Korea's "three-axis" deterrence system.

Putting borders back up

This comes in light of the DPRK's Defense Ministry announcing earlier last month through KCNA that it has officially withdrawn from the 2018 inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA).

The withdrawal signifies a departure from the military confidence-building measures aimed at de-escalating tensions between the DPRK and South Korea. The decision came just a day after South Korea suspended a portion of the CMA in response to the DPRK's launch of a satellite.

The statement issued by Pyongyang emphasized that as a consequence of this withdrawal, the DPRK would be fortifying its border with South Korea. This move indicates an intent to resume all military measures that were previously halted under the CMA, thereby heightening concerns about increased military tension along the shared border.

That move prompted the DPRK to restation troops at its southern border which were taken down under the 2018 agreement with South Korea.

The DPRK explicitly stated, "From now on, our army will never be bound by the September 19 North-South Military Agreement." It further declared the withdrawal of military steps that were initially implemented to prevent tension and conflict across various domains, including ground, sea, and air.