South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said on April 5 that its military will focus on deterring provocative acts by North Korea and conclude operations at the scene of battle if actual attack occurs by the North.
At the National Assembly, Kim told lawmakers that there are still possibilities North Korea might make many surprise regional provocations.
"South Korea's military will maintain preparedness posture in response to many types of attacks, including surprise attacks near the inter-Korean maritime border on the Yellow Sea, terrorism and nuclear or missile tests," Kim said.
In order to prepare for provocations in the are of the five islands near the maritime border on the Yellow Sea, maritime guard and patrol operations will be strengthened, Kim said. Also civil fishing boats are going to be protected by securing order, he said.
"Upon learning that civic groups in the South are preparing for launching balloons carrying anti-North Korean regime leaflets [across the border into the North], we will prepare for possible attacks by North Korea," said Kim.
In regards to recent movement of the North's military, the minister said the North is being observed conducting naval training on the Yellow Sea and East Sea, which could be infiltration exercises for additional attacks on the South.
"On the Yellow Sea near the maritime border, North Korea is increasing its movement of patrol boats near the border since the beginning of the blue-crab fishing season," said Kim. "We have also observed that not only commanding officers are carrying out on-the-spot inspection, but also troops are actively making combat preparedness."
Futhermore, he said that while North Korea keeps on criticizing an annual joint military drill Key Resolve/Foal Eagle of South Korea and the United States, North Korean units are implementing many types of military exercises. In spite of economic hardship, the North is carrying out its winter training as usual, said Kim.
RoK MoD
