Defense Minister Inauguration Postponed to Tomorrow... Simultaneous Discussion on North Korean Nuclear Response

On the 24th, officials from North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Research Institute carried out demolition work to close the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province. The deputy director of the Nuclear Weapons Research Institute is explaining the method and sequence of dismantling the nuclear test site.
Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop will take over the Ministry of National Defense flag from the current Minister Seo Wook and be inaugurated at the inauguration ceremony scheduled for the morning of the 11th. Although originally planned for the 10th, it will be held in a simplified manner considering the relocation of the presidential office and other circumstances.

According to the military, Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop is expected to preside over a meeting of key military officials immediately after his inauguration on the 11th. Convening a meeting of key military officials right after the inauguration is based on the judgment that North Korea's preparations for a nuclear test are nearly complete, making it urgent to check the readiness of headquarters of each military branch and units at the operational command level or higher, and to discuss countermeasures.

Considering the serious current situation where North Korea is showing signs of pushing forward with its 7th nuclear test in response to President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration and U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Korea, the purpose is for key military officials to be fully informed of the situation and strengthen their readiness. Additionally, the meeting is expected to evaluate the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korean military movements, and discuss countermeasures such as the deployment of U.S. strategic assets if North Korea proceeds with the nuclear test.

The Ministry of National Defense reportedly included in its recent transition committee briefing a plan to redeploy U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula if North Korea carries out provocations such as ICBM launches. It was also reported that the expanded deterrence strategy consultation body (EDSCG) between South Korea and the U.S., which began during the Park Geun-hye administration but was suspended under the current government, will be practically reactivated to discuss the regular rotation and deployment of U.S. strategic assets.

U.S. aircraft carriers Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and Nimitz (CVN-68) conducted joint exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy in November 2017. When a U.S. Navy carrier strike group operates, it is typically accompanied by 3 to 4 destroyers and at least 2 nuclear-powered submarines.

At Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, strategic bombers such as the B-52H Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, and B-2 Spirit are on standby. The B-52 strategic bomber was withdrawn to the U.S. mainland during the Donald Trump administration in 2020 but has been decided to be redeployed on a rotational basis. The B-52 also flew over the Korean Peninsula as a warning to North Korea during the axe murder incident at Panmunjom in 1976.

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