[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] Why Was the Route Different When Kim Defected from North Korea?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The military leadership has once again bowed their heads regarding the defector's northward crossing incident. On the 28th, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-du appeared at the National Assembly's National Defense Committee plenary session and stated, "No matter how many times I am criticized, I have nothing to say," concerning the defector's northward crossing incident. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Park Han-gi also apologized, saying, "As the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I recognize the seriousness of the matter and deeply feel responsible."

This northward crossing incident is considered the fourth security failure following the North Korean wooden boat's entry into Samcheok Port, illegal civilian intrusions at the Jeju naval base, and the failure to detect a Chinese illegal immigration ship in Taean, Chungnam.

So far, the defector Kim (24)'s northward crossing route revealed during the inspection process is Ganghwa Island. It is known that Kim even conducted a preliminary survey of Ganghwa-gun on the 17th of this month to find an escape route. The defection site, Jogang-ri, is only about 6 km away from the drainage channel (Wolgok-ri, Ganghwa-eup), which Kim is presumed to have passed through to avoid military surveillance at the time of crossing northward. It appears that Kim crossed northward via a new route, not the one used during defection, because it was difficult to approach the defection site near the Marine Corps outpost.

The security of the area where Kim crossed northward is managed by the 2nd Marine Division. Operational control and command lines in this area go from the 2nd Marine Division → Capital Corps → Ground Operations Command. The Marine unit maintains on-site security through outposts, fences, and scientific surveillance equipment but operates under the command of the Army's Capital Corps and Ground Operations Command. The Capital Corps is known to issue guidelines and conduct inspections regarding peacetime enemy infiltration prevention, local provocation response, and security operations. The Army's 17th Division is responsible for maritime and riverine security in the rear areas of Incheon and Gimpo. Through on-site unit inspections by the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Combat Readiness Inspection Office and the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, they plan to verify whether security and surveillance manuals were properly followed. The Joint Chiefs of Staff is conducting a detailed analysis of the military surveillance footage recorded at the time of Kim's northward crossing.

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