Ministry of National Defense Normalizes ROK-US Joint Exercises... Expands Korean 3-Axis Defense System (Update)

Minister Lee Jong-seop... On the key national task of 'Increasing Soldier Salaries', "Raise to 2 million won by 2025"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Bae Kyunghwan and Yang Nakgyu] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop reported to President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 22nd that he will expand the posture of the Korean-style 3-axis system, including the kill chain, and normalize the ROK-US joint exercises. In particular, regarding the increase in soldiers' salaries, one of President Yoon's core national tasks, he presented a plan to raise it to 2 million won by 2025.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon received sequential work reports from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Unification at the Yongsan Presidential Office building. Both Minister Lee and Minister Kwon Young-se reported to President Yoon in a one-on-one format, and only key officials such as the Chief of Staff, the Director of National Security Office, and the 1st and 2nd Deputy Directors of the National Security Office attended from the presidential office.

The Ministry of National Defense focused its report on the expansion plan of the Korean-style 3-axis system, the national defense artificial intelligence (AI) promotion strategy, and measures to strengthen ROK-US joint exercises. The Korean-style 3-axis system is a concept to respond to North Korea's increasingly advanced nuclear and missile threats, consisting of the 'kill chain' that detects, tracks, and strikes North Korean missiles, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) that intercepts North Korean ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), and the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) that annihilates enemy command facilities. To enhance the kill chain, reconnaissance satellites such as military satellites will be strengthened, and a multi-layered missile defense system will be established early through medium-range surface-to-air missiles (M-SAM) Cheongung-II and long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM).

Before the report on the same day, President Yoon stated on his way to work regarding North Korea's nuclear test trends, "We believe that they are in a state where they can conduct it anytime once they make up their mind." This was in response to the U.S. Department of Defense's statement on the 20th (local time) that "North Korea is assessed to have completed preparations for a nuclear test at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site as early as this month."

The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the name of the second half joint exercise to be conducted next month between South Korea and the U.S. as UFS (Ulchi Freedom Shield). This reflects the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's intention to normalize joint exercises that had been scaled down during the Moon Jae-in administration due to denuclearization negotiations. The increase in soldiers' salaries was also emphasized again. Minister Lee reported, "To provide appropriate treatment and compensation for fulfilling military service obligations, we will combine salaries with asset formation programs and raise the salary to 2 million won by 2025." Earlier, President Yoon stated at the first National Fiscal Strategy Meeting after his inauguration on the 7th, "National tasks promised to the people, such as increasing soldiers' salaries, must be implemented without fail with saved resources."

Following the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Unification also held a presidential work report on the same day. At this meeting, Minister Kwon Young-se is expected to discuss policies to lead North Korea's complete denuclearization and improve humanitarian conditions such as the human rights of North Korean residents with President Yoon. In addition, since attention was drawn by the disclosure of photos and videos regarding the repatriation of North Korean fishermen, it is known that a report on fact-finding investigations will also be made.