Moon calls for ramped up self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace on the peninsula
- 5 years ago
문 대통령 "평화여정에 안보 빈틈 없어야,.. 새로운 한반도 시대 열어갈 것"
President Moon says South Korea needs to beef up its self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace in the region.
During a National Security Council meeting Wednesday,... the president also stressed the significance of the inaugural Ulchi Taegeuk drills which started earlier this week.
Shin Se-min has the details.
President Moon Jae-in is calling on South Korea to beef up its self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace in the region.
During a National Security Council meeting to discuss the four-day inaugural civilian-military exercises, the Ulchi Taegeuk drills,... President Moon said there should be no crack in national security despite the ongoing peace drive.
"As long as we have the right to choose, the journey toward peace will not be stopped. No matter the difficulties, a new era on the Korean Peninsula will certainly open up."
The South Korean leader also expressed gratitude to his North Korean and U.S. counterparts for easing military tensions in the region.
The president touched on the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON from Washington to Seoul, saying that the ongoing Ulchi Taegeuk drills should help prep the nation for when Seoul takes over the primary leadership role.
"The inaugural military drills combining the existing Ulchi and Taegeuk command post exercises, should be used as a chance to solidify self-reliant defense capabilities, as well as prepare for the transition of OPCON."
A South Korean general is set to lead joint military drills with the U.S. in August to test Seoul's readiness for wartime OPCON transfer, this according to ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The talks of OPCON transfer started over a decade ago but the transition effort has been hampered amid Pyeongyang's increased military threats. However, as the mood on the peninsula improved,... the two allies have steadily and systematically been moving forward with the transfer.
"Apart from military-related readiness,... the president also said the civilian-government exercise reflects his administration's broader spectrum on national security, including non-military threats like natural disasters, diseases and terrorism.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News."
President Moon says South Korea needs to beef up its self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace in the region.
During a National Security Council meeting Wednesday,... the president also stressed the significance of the inaugural Ulchi Taegeuk drills which started earlier this week.
Shin Se-min has the details.
President Moon Jae-in is calling on South Korea to beef up its self-defense capabilities while still pursuing peace in the region.
During a National Security Council meeting to discuss the four-day inaugural civilian-military exercises, the Ulchi Taegeuk drills,... President Moon said there should be no crack in national security despite the ongoing peace drive.
"As long as we have the right to choose, the journey toward peace will not be stopped. No matter the difficulties, a new era on the Korean Peninsula will certainly open up."
The South Korean leader also expressed gratitude to his North Korean and U.S. counterparts for easing military tensions in the region.
The president touched on the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON from Washington to Seoul, saying that the ongoing Ulchi Taegeuk drills should help prep the nation for when Seoul takes over the primary leadership role.
"The inaugural military drills combining the existing Ulchi and Taegeuk command post exercises, should be used as a chance to solidify self-reliant defense capabilities, as well as prepare for the transition of OPCON."
A South Korean general is set to lead joint military drills with the U.S. in August to test Seoul's readiness for wartime OPCON transfer, this according to ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The talks of OPCON transfer started over a decade ago but the transition effort has been hampered amid Pyeongyang's increased military threats. However, as the mood on the peninsula improved,... the two allies have steadily and systematically been moving forward with the transfer.
"Apart from military-related readiness,... the president also said the civilian-government exercise reflects his administration's broader spectrum on national security, including non-military threats like natural disasters, diseases and terrorism.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News."