[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Strengthening or Maintaining the Ministry of National Defense's Defense System?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The controversy over relocating the presidential office to Yongsan appears to be expanding to the suitability of the air defense system near the Ministry of National Defense building. The Democratic Party of Korea argues that if the next presidential office moves to the new Ministry of National Defense building, the air defense system must be changed, including the additional installation of anti-aircraft guns. On the other hand, the president-elect and the People Power Party maintain that the current system is sufficient.

On the 22nd, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo pointed out at the National Defense Committee plenary session in the National Assembly, "The most unprepared part currently is the North Korean drone attack," and added, "Isn't the Ministry of National Defense building area inadequately prepared for this?" He further claimed, "If the president is at the Ministry of National Defense and is exposed to a drone attack, that would be a security gap."

Earlier, Kim had pointed out that if the presidential office moves to the Ministry of National Defense building, the protection system should be reorganized, including installing anti-aircraft gun units on apartment rooftops in the Gangnam area of Seoul, which is within an 8 km radius.

In particular, while Mt. Bugaksan near the Blue House serves as a ‘natural defense’ against attacks from the North, the area around the Ministry of National Defense building lacks such terrain features, making it more vulnerable to air defense threats.

Minister of National Defense Seo Wook also agreed with the criticism that the air defense system against drone attacks is not as sufficient as that of the current Blue House, stating, "The Blue House, responsible for security and protection, and the Ministry of National Defense building area have different (levels of) air defense."

On the other hand, the People Power Party holds the position that the current air defense system is sufficient. Lawmaker Sung Il-jong argued, "Since the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. military were already in Yongsan, all military facilities are fully equipped," and added, "It can cover both the Yongsan presidential office and the Hannam-dong residence." He also stated, "Patriot missiles are a defense concept for the entire metropolitan area, not a system specifically to protect the Blue House."

Military experts say that while additional deployment of interceptor missiles to defend against missiles is unnecessary, preparation against drone attacks is needed.

Shin Jong-woo, a senior research fellow at the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), said, "There is a need to strengthen defenses against unmanned aerial attacks," and "The air defense system around Yongsan should be inspected."

Currently, around the Blue House, ‘Cheongma’ missiles with an interception range of 9 km and ‘Mistral’ missiles with an interception range of 4 to 5 km are deployed for air defense. In January 2020, a Patriot missile battery was additionally deployed, and anti-aircraft guns of the 1st Air Defense Brigade of the Capital Defense Command are positioned on rooftops of major high-rise buildings from Gwanghwamun to Yongsan.

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