[Exclusive] Despite North Korea's Provocations, 'Drunken Missile Command Soldiers' [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Five Unauthorized Drinkers Caught Bringing Alcohol into PX in Early Morning
Less Than a Month After Minister's Visit, "Serious Discipline Lapse"

Soldiers of the Army Missile Strategy Command were caught drinking after leaving their posts. Amid ongoing provocations from North Korea, concerns have been raised about a possible decline in military discipline. The Missile Strategy Command is considered a core unit within the 'Korean-style 3-axis' system, equipped with the key means of Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to military authorities on the 8th, Corporal Shin Mo, a member of the Missile Strategy Command (PX soldier), hid two bottles of vodka at the PX on the 2nd, brought them to the barracks, and started drinking around 3 a.m. the next day with two soldiers of the same rank. The location was a rarely frequented barbershop within the unit. While drinking, they called two more soldiers of the same rank, including one who was on sentry duty. The sentry is responsible for waking soldiers in case of emergencies during sleeping hours. This means they left their posts to drink despite the tense situation between South and North Korea since the beginning of the year. The drinking session was discovered during a patrol by the duty officer.

Concerns about declining military discipline are growing both inside and outside the military. This incident occurred less than a month after Defense Minister Shin Won-sik visited the Missile Strategy Command on the 8th of last month to inspect readiness. At that time, Minister Shin urged the soldiers, "Maintain a constant state of readiness to immediately operate world-class artillery, ultra-precision, and high-power missiles upon mission orders, and respond decisively."

The day before the soldiers drank was also the day North Korea announced provocations. Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, claimed on the 2nd, "Because the provisions of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement were tampered with, our military, which had been restrained by a ceasefire agreement for years, has now regained its wings for military activities." Following this, from the 5th to the 7th, North Korea conducted artillery firing near the West Sea NLL for three consecutive days.

An Army official stated, "A disciplinary committee will be held on the 10th for the soldiers involved, and the strictest measures will be taken." He added, "Under the direction of Commander Lee Doo-hee of the Missile Strategy Command, an inspection and a detailed unit diagnosis will be conducted."