JCS Expands and Establishes Nuclear·WMD Response Headquarters... "Dedicated Organization for Korea-type 3-Axis System"

Existing Response Center Reorganized into 'Mid-to-Senior Level' Headquarters
"Foundation for the Establishment of Strategic Command" Also Expected

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of National Defense is pushing to establish a Nuclear and WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Response Headquarters within the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 10th that it has publicly notified a revision of the Joint Chiefs of Staff organization plan to install the Nuclear and WMD Response Headquarters.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff has been working on expanding and reorganizing the existing Nuclear and WMD Response Center under the Strategic Planning Headquarters into a Nuclear and WMD Response Headquarters to effectively deter and respond to the increasingly sophisticated threats from North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles. Accordingly, they proposed to the Ministry of National Defense a revision of the Joint Chiefs of Staff organization that specifies the mission of the newly established Nuclear and WMD Response Headquarters and includes coordination of functions among departments.

Once the Response Center is reorganized into a Response Headquarters, the organization’s size and personnel will increase, and it is expected to be elevated to the same level as the Joint Chiefs’ existing four headquarters: Intelligence, Operations, Strategic Planning, and Military Support. The head of the headquarters is likely to hold the rank of Lieutenant General.

There is also speculation that the Nuclear and WMD Response Headquarters will serve as the foundation for the Strategic Command, a pledge of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The Strategic Command is an organization that oversees the “Korean-style triad system,” which consists of the Kill Chain, Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), and Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR).

During last month’s National Assembly audit, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported plans to expand and reorganize the Nuclear and WMD Response Headquarters and stated that based on this, they will promote “strengthening the dedicated organization for the Korean-style triad system and optimizing operational readiness.”

This revision plan will begin the public notification process today, followed by gathering opinions from related agencies, and after subsequent vice ministerial meetings and Cabinet meetings, it is scheduled to be implemented starting January 1 of next year.

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