By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young
President Yoon Suk-yeol chaired the “Eulji National Security Council” at the Crisis Management Center of the National Security Office on Aug. 19 and reviewed the country's ability to conduct total war in case of wartime and the wartime transition procedures by agencies.
The President recalled that North Korea threatens our security by continuing to incite propaganda against South Korea and release filthy balloons while seeking to upgrade its nuclear and missile capabilities, and instructed us to “prepare for and have the capability to respond strongly to any North Korean provocations” through this exercise.
The President also emphasized the need to “firmly defend our freedom and prosperity with power, not words.” As the U.S. and South Korea have safeguarded peace on the Korean Peninsula through an ironclad joint defense posture and a strong deterrent to North Korea, he asked that the drills be used to examine our defense posture in various ways and demonstrate the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
The joint exercises will be conducted to improve our ability to conduct total warfare to protect the lives and safety of our people from North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as well as various complex provocations, including gray zone provocations such as GPS jamming and cyberattacks, and the spread of false information.
In conclusion, the President emphasized that all government departments and agencies should approach the exercise as if it were an actual war with the determination that every drop of sweat will protect the lives and safety of the Korean people, and asked for the safety of all personnel involved in the exercise, including our military.
