14 June 2017

News Story: S. Korean president calls for deterrence against N. Korea's missile threats

South Korean President Moon Jae-in
SEOUL, June 13 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in reiterated his resolve to strengthen South Korea's defense capabilities against North Korea Tuesday, while asking the combined forces of the country and the United States here to maintain their strong defense posture to fend off the communist country's nuclear and missile provocations.

The president's call for a stronger Korea-U.S. alliance came during his first visit to the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), led by Gen. Vincent Brooks, who is also the commander of the United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

"The Korea-U.S. alliance has successfully deterred a North Korean invasion for more than 60 years since the end of Korean War. The same strength now ensures peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and it also provided the foundation of democracy and development South Korea now enjoys," President Moon told the CFC leadership that included CFC deputy commander Gen. Leem Ho-young of the South Korean Army.

Moon, however, said the North's provocations were growing in both frequency and seriousness, noting the communist state has launched missiles on five different occasions in just a month since his inauguration on May 10.

"Now, we need to build our defense capabilities against not only North Korea's conventional weapons, but also against their nuclear and missile threats," he said.

Read the full story at YonhapNews