Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: "No Investigation into Pyongyang Drone Incident"

"For Psychological Pressure on the Opponent...
The Key is Maintaining Secrecy"

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo strongly denied allegations that the military was involved in manipulating the so-called 'North Wind' and attracting 'foreign exchange' in connection with the December 3 emergency martial law situation, including the 'drone over Pyongyang airspace,' and argued that the matter should not lead to an investigation.

Yonhap News

On the 14th, Chairman Kim appeared before the National Assembly's 'Special Committee for the Truth Investigation of the Insurrection Charges through the Declaration of Emergency Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government' and reaffirmed his previous stance of "not being able to confirm" regarding the South Korean drone that North Korea claimed appeared over Pyongyang airspace.

Chairman Kim said, "It seems the public has suspicions because we say we cannot confirm," but added, "Saying we cannot confirm means maintaining our secrets while psychologically pressuring the opponent to limit their choices and cause confusion, thereby gaining an advantage. That is the strategy." He emphasized, "The key here is maintaining secrecy," and said, "The moment my cards are opened, I cannot cause psychological conflict or confusion in the enemy, so I must not reveal my cards. However, if someone tells the opponent what cards I hold or tries to investigate to see clearly, we cannot win this game."

He continued, "So we are using this strategy of 'cannot confirm,' and if this is called the North Wind, I want to ask this: At the end of 2022, several (North Korean) drones entered the metropolitan area and caused significant internal conflict. Then, is this the North Wind or the South Wind?"

Chairman Kim stated, "There is absolutely no preparation, plan, or circumstance related to what is called the North Wind or attracting foreign exchange," and said, "Using the term 'foreign exchange' fundamentally disregards the military." He added, "If we talk about the North Wind, everything could be engulfed by it," and said, "Military operations should never be subject to investigation or inquiry but must exist within the commander's judgment and decision-making domain. This is very regrettable."

He further said, "The enemy uses deception and surprise attacks and provokes when they want. Against such an enemy, we maintain alert and readiness posture," and urged, "Since the military's basic duty is to maintain political neutrality, please support us in these aspects."

Chairman Kim also said, "The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has no internal military intelligence capability at all. To be honest, I only have operational command authority," implying that he was not aware of the martial law-related developments in advance.