Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop Inspects ROK-US Joint Exercises at Wartime Bunker

Visit to the Capital Defense Command Bunker
and the Combined Forces Command Wartime Headquarters

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop visited the bunker of the Capital Defense Command and the wartime command post of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command on the 15th to inspect the joint exercise "Freedom Shield" (FS) situation.

At the Capital Defense Command bunker (B-1 Document Storage), Minister Lee said, "Exercises and training are the most fundamental missions of our military," adding, "Unlike in the past, this exercise is conducted continuously day and night for 11 days, which will increase fatigue, but I hope you will diligently focus on more realistic exercises while maintaining a firm military readiness posture to faithfully carry out the military's mission of protecting the lives and property of the people."

The B-1 Document Storage is built in a granite mountainous area, capable of withstanding bombings and blocking North Korea's EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attacks. It is known as a facility equipped with the wartime presidential office, allowing the command staff to conduct war operations without leaving for several months.

Minister Lee then received a briefing on the joint exercise situation at the wartime command post and said, "Over the past 70 years, the ROK-US alliance has played a central role in the security of the Republic of Korea, and the Combined Forces Command, as a symbol and foundation of this alliance, has protected Korea's peace and prosperity through a solid combined defense posture." He also emphasized, "The recent successive missile launches by North Korea are serious provocations that threaten not only the Korean Peninsula but also the peace and stability of the international community. At times like these, exercises must be further strengthened," adding, "The more North Korea provokes, the stronger the ROK-US alliance will become."

He urged, "This exercise reflects the evolving security environment, including North Korea's advanced nuclear and missile capabilities and recent war cases, so please immerse yourselves more deeply in the exercise situation to establish the 'Fight Tonight' combined defense posture." 'Fight Tonight,' meaning 'able to fight tonight,' is the motto of the US Forces Korea.

The Combined Forces Command wartime command post, 'CP Tango' located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, serves as the brain and heart of the ROK-US combined forces in emergencies. After the wartime operational control transfer, this role will be taken over by the B-1 Document Storage.