Jung Kyung-doo: "GP Must Respond Perfectly in Any Situation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-du emphasized on the 1st that the Guard Posts (GP) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) must maintain a perfect combat readiness posture.

On the same day, Minister Jeong visited the Ground Operations Command (GOC) in the morning to inspect operational readiness, stating, "Current operational units such as GPs and GOPs (General Outposts) must be fully prepared to respond perfectly to any situation that may arise."

The GOC is the command responsible for units that responded to the North Korean military's GP shooting incident on the 3rd of last month.

At the GOC command and control center, Minister Jeong held a video conference with key officials under the GOC, including the GOC commander, corps commanders, GOP and coastal division commanders, and direct unit commanders, emphasizing the need to maintain military readiness despite difficult conditions.

Minister Jeong instructed, "We must do our utmost to completely remove landmines and safely return the area to the public," adding, "We should also actively support farming activities for farmers who face difficulties securing labor during the busy farming season."

He said, "Our military supports the government's efforts for North Korea's denuclearization and the permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula with 'strong power,'" and added, "We also back the government's efforts through the implementation of the September 19 military agreement, including reopening and expanding routes of the DMZ Peace Trail, resuming tours of Panmunjom, and excavating remains at Hwaseolmari Hill."

The DMZ Peace Trail's route in Cheorwon will be extended to Hwaseolmari Hill, the Paju route to the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and the Goseong route to the 'Preservation GP.'

Minister Jeong added, "Most of these tasks are carried out in the border areas under the GOC," emphasizing, "Along with military readiness, thorough safety management must be ensured."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.