[Comprehensive] Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "Very sorry for not explaining missile debris promptly"

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 combined surface-to-surface missile counterfire against 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 the apology from a military official the previous day, Chairman Kim also expressed his regret.

On the night of the 4th of this month until early the next morning, during the ROK-US combined 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 approximately 700 meters from a residential area. Despite numerous inquiries from residents alarmed by the flames and loud noise caused by the debris, the military kept the training under embargo and failed to properly inform the public, resulting in confusion throughout the night.

Chairman Kim also stated, "Above all, we are striving to significantly strengthen our capabilities to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats."

He added, "Even at this very moment, our military is fully prepared with a firm 'military readiness posture and capabilities' and is doing its utmost with unwavering determination and attitude to 'complete the mission with victory.'"

He explained, "We are accelerating the development of the operational system and the expansion of power for the Korean-style 3-axis system and cooperating militarily to enhance the United States' extended deterrence execution capability."

Chairman Kim further introduced, "Based on close ROK-US coordination and cooperation, we are focusing our capabilities to ensure the completeness of the combined and joint operational execution system, and we are systematically and stably promoting the transfer of wartime operational control based on conditions." He also stated, "Through the promotion of 'Defense Innovation 4.0,' we are expanding advanced military capabilities to lead future joint battlefields and developing operational concepts and military structures that can actively respond to all-around threats."