Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "Very sorry for not explaining missile debris in a timely manner"

Apology for Hyunmoo-2C Missile Misfire and Inadequate Follow-up Response at National Audit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, apologized, saying, "I deeply regret causing concern to residents and the public due to missile debris during the ROK-US joint surface-to-surface missile counterfire in response to North Korea's missile provocations, and for failing to provide timely explanations to residents and the media afterward."

On the 6th, at the National Assembly Defense Committee's Joint Chiefs of Staff audit held at the Yongsan office, Chairman Kim bowed his head regarding the missile debris and subsequent response before starting his work report after reading the greeting message. Following an apology from a military official the previous day, Chairman Kim also bowed his head in apology.

On the night of the 4th of this month until early the next morning, during the ROK-US joint surface-to-surface missile counterfire in response to North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launch in the Gangneung area of Gangwon Province, a Hyunmoo-2C missile malfunctioned immediately after launch and fell about 700 meters from a residential area.

Despite numerous inquiries from residents alarmed by the flames and loud noise caused by the missile debris, the military kept the training under embargo and failed to properly inform the public, resulting in confusion throughout the night.