JCS Chairman Conducts P-8 Command Flight Ahead of APEC, Emphasizes "Ironclad Readiness"

On October 21, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jin Youngseung boarded a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and conducted a command flight ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju. Chairman Jin stated, "Given that this operational area is home to numerous key national facilities and serves as a hub for our country, I ask that you maintain an ironclad state of readiness."

Yonhap News

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chairman Jin visited operational units that are maintaining a constant state of readiness for the successful hosting of the APEC Summit, as well as sites supporting security and counterterrorism operations, to conduct a final inspection of their preparations. He boarded the P-8 and conducted a command flight over the operational area in the East Sea, and visited a Marine unit responsible for coastal defense in the Pohang area, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a robust state of readiness.

Chairman Jin instructed, "In preparation for a variety of military and non-military situations that may occur in our waters, all personnel must possess the expertise appropriate to their roles and complete their missions promptly and safely."

Subsequently, Chairman Jin visited the 'Military Operations Headquarters Situation Room' established for the APEC Summit and the 'Comprehensive Security Situation Room' inside the Gyeongju HICO (Hwabaek International Convention Center), where he was briefed on security and counterterrorism operation plans and discussed measures to ensure the safe hosting of this national event.

Chairman Jin stated, "We will establish a dynamic system that enables real-time response through organic cooperation among various agencies, sharing situations and exchanging information in real time." He also urged, "From your respective positions, maintain a swift and powerful posture so that hostile forces would not even dare to contemplate terrorist acts, serving as a 'deterrent,' and act as a reliable 'guardian' who stands by the people."

Meanwhile, to support this APEC Summit, the military has organized a Military Operations Headquarters centered on the 2nd Operational Command, deploying approximately 3,600 personnel and various assets across land, sea, and air domains to conduct integrated operations with relevant agencies.

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