[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Forward Area Modernization System Still Defective

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[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The advanced scientific surveillance system installed at the front lines is still riddled with errors. Especially with Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, and Kim Yong-chol, Head of the United Front Department of North Korea, posing a 'security threat,' the reinforcement of systems in the frontline areas has become even more urgent.

According to the military on the 22nd, the scientific surveillance system was promoted as a pilot project during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. The scientific surveillance system is a system that uses CCTV and sensors to remotely monitor and detect intrusions.

This project was undertaken by Samsung S1 and SK C&C. Samsung S1 was responsible for the western and central front lines, while SK Telecom was to install the scientific system on the eastern front line. However, all these companies failed to meet the requirements and were judged 'unsuitable.' After receiving an unsuitable rating in the test evaluation, the military significantly relaxed the originally required 'operational performance.' This was because the installation of the scientific system was considered an achievement of the commanders at the time. The Ministry of National Defense at that time promoted it as a perfect system capable of defending the front lines even with reduced troops due to defense reform.

However, as time passed, the performance of the scientific surveillance system did not meet expectations. From September 2015 to August last year, there were 2,749 cases of GOP surveillance system malfunctions and errors. This means an average of 1.5 malfunctions or errors occurred daily.

According to an analysis by the Joint Chiefs of Staff from February to June 2020 of the scientific system in the frontline areas, it was found that false alarms sounded every 4 minutes and 30 seconds on average per GOP company outpost. Even when birds land or the wind blows strongly, the alarm sounds. The Joint Chiefs' investigation was conducted to create justification for installing the Frontline Scientific Surveillance System II. The Frontline Scientific Surveillance System II is scheduled to be installed from 2025 with a budget of 270 billion won. Even during the 'Wolcheok defection' incident in November last year, the scientific system did not function properly.

Regarding the scientific system project, insiders and outsiders in the military point out that the project should not be pushed forward blindly just to boost commanders' achievements. In the case of the scientific surveillance system, the detection range is about 50 meters on the central-western front and about 30 meters on the eastern front, which is excessively wide. Considering that civilian airports designate detection ranges within a few meters, this is extremely lax. Some also argue that performance tests should be checked multiple times according to seasonal environmental conditions.

A military official said, "This year, it was widely promoted that an AI-based scientific surveillance system would be installed in the 22nd Division, but no local officer understands what kind of AI surveillance equipment it is or how it works."

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