Ministry of National Defense: "September 19 Military Agreement Contributed to Reducing Military Tensions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The military authorities evaluated that the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement has concretely and practically contributed to easing military tensions and building trust over the past 20 months.

On the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense held the 'First Half-Year Major Commanders Meeting of the Entire Military' chaired by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo. The attendees agreed that, especially with the cessation of hostile acts on land, sea, and air, the military situation in the inter-Korean border area is being managed stably.

The attendees also emphasized, "Our military has faithfully implemented the September 19 Military Agreement despite recent difficult inter-Korean relations, continuously striving to realize substantial military tension reduction and to militarily support the government's policy for denuclearization and peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

Furthermore, the military pledged to maintain a firm readiness posture based on the strong ROK-US alliance under any circumstances and to thoroughly prepare for all-around security threats.

Regarding the defense environment, the attendees assessed that "North Korea is focusing on internal cohesion and regime maintenance amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, while continuing military activities such as missile test launches and artillery competitive training."

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "It demands a perfect military readiness posture capable of responding not only to traditional military security threats but also to non-traditional security threats like COVID-19, and it highly evaluates expectations for improvements in military safety management, innovation in barracks culture, and establishment of military discipline."

This year, in the first half, the military detected and responded to 100% of North Korean missile launches, devised infection prevention measures amid the COVID-19 situation, and conducted joint exercises and training realistically to maintain military readiness, the Ministry of National Defense evaluated.

The Ministry emphasized, "We have stably managed the military situation through operational activity monitoring of neighboring countries and resolute responses to incursions into the KADIZ (Korea Air Defense Identification Zone)."

However, it recognized the need to supplement shortcomings in surveillance and guard operations that occurred in some units through thorough follow-up measures, and announced plans to promote overall inspection and supplementation of the guard system, enhancement of operational personnel capabilities, reinforcement of military structure to secure excellent personnel, and establishment of garrison and maritime/coastal guard operational postures.

Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense noted that although the number of casualties and suicide incidents in the first half decreased by 54% compared to the same period last year, various supplementary measures are needed to eradicate disciplinary lapses such as crimes against superiors, drinking, and sexual violence by some soldiers.

The Ministry stated, "In the second half, we will establish an institutional foundation such as revising safety management laws and enacting the Defense Safety Management Directive," and added, "We have agreed to actively promote defense safety innovation strategies and tasks, including expanding full-time safety officers to battalion-level units, introducing risk management processes for all unit activities, and developing standardized customized military safety education programs."

Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo emphasized at the meeting, "Strong training and exercises are core values of our military, and commanders of each unit must conduct intensive, realistic training to maintain the highest combat readiness at all times," and "Establishing a firm military readiness posture is the military's noble original mission and must leave no room for error."

The meeting was attended by about 150 key commanders from the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and each military branch, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Park Han-gi, Army Chief of Staff Seo Wook, Navy Chief of Naval Operations Bu Seok-jong, Air Force Chief of Staff Won In-chul, Marine Corps Commanding General Lee Seung-do, and Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Mo Jong-hwa. Many commanders participated via video conference from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, each military headquarters, and the Operations Command.

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