Yoon Visits Defense Science Research Institute... Inspects North Korean Drone Interception System and More

Message of Retaliation Against North Korean Provocation Within a Day
Review of Weapon System Development Status
Military Commanders Urged to Maintain Mental Readiness

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 29th, President Yoon Seok-yeol will inspect the surveillance, reconnaissance, and interception systems of our military in response to North Korea's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.

On the same day, President Yoon will visit the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) located in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, to review the current status of domestic weapons system development and emphasize the need to effectively enhance military capabilities against North Korea's asymmetric threats, according to the Presidential Office.

ADD is a national research institute under the Ministry of National Defense responsible for technical investigation, research, development, and testing of weapons and defense science technologies necessary for national defense. It employs approximately 3,500 personnel. ADD conducts research, development, and performance testing of weapons systems and related technologies required for defense, reviews, analyzes, and supports military weapons systems and related technologies, and also carries out civilian-military technology cooperation projects as well as testing and evaluation support for civilian equipment.

This inspection of weapons systems comes just one day after President Yoon issued a reprimand and a call for response to the military, which has effectively failed to counter North Korea's UAV threats.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, after receiving a report on UAV countermeasures from Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, President Yoon expressed anger, saying, "You didn’t even conduct proper training? Does that mean nothing was done?" On the same day, during the Cabinet meeting, President Yoon emphasized, "We will expedite the establishment of drone units and stealthify drones with cutting-edge technology to strengthen surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities."

The day before, President Yoon convened an emergency meeting with the Presidential Secretariat and National Security Office staff, instructing, "Respond and retaliate decisively to any provocation by North Korea. That is the strongest means to deter provocations."

During his visit to ADD, President Yoon is expected to reaffirm the military’s firm resolve to respond to North Korean provocations and reiterate that decisive retaliation is the most powerful deterrent against North Korean provocations.

Additionally, he plans to review the development status of asymmetric forces such as UAVs and missiles within our military and stress the necessity of effectively enhancing military capabilities against North Korea’s asymmetric threats. He will also urge key military commanders to maintain a strong mental readiness posture and to focus on realistic training.

President Yoon’s visit will include a briefing on the status of weapons system development, a tour of UAV and missile research facilities, and a luncheon with researchers. The visit will be accompanied by the Minister of National Defense, Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Director of the National Security Office, the Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and the Defense Secretary.

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