Han Deok-su: "Thorough Preparation for North Korea Provocation Scenarios... Must Make It Unthinkable to Challenge"

Visit to Army 1st Division and JSA Battalion
"Overwhelming Response to Enemy Provocations, Crushing Their Will"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Acting President, visited the Dora Observation Post (OP) lookout of the Army's 1st Division in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st to inspect the military readiness and emphasized, "We must thoroughly prepare by predicting all possible provocation scenarios that North Korea could carry out."

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is observing the front lines while listening to an explanation from Army 1st Division Commander Yang Jin-hyeok at the Dora Observation Post (OP) lookout of the Army 1st Division in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day in the afternoon, Acting President Han visited the Army's 1st Division and the Joint Security Area (JSA) Battalion, stating, "The security situation on the Korean Peninsula is more severe than ever," and pointed out, "North Korea is focused on developing nuclear missiles and continues threatening provocations such as missile launches, cyberattacks, and GPS signal jamming."

He added, "They are also creating military tensions through hostile activities across land, sea, and air, including the Demilitarized Zone," and explained, "through illegal military cooperation with Russia, they are learning modern warfare tactics, developing weapon capabilities, and plotting new forms of provocations against the South."

Acting President Han said, "We must strengthen our readiness with firm mental fortitude and powerful combat capability so that the enemy dares not challenge us," and added, "If the enemy provokes, we must respond overwhelmingly to crush their will to provoke."

To the soldiers, he said, "The government will improve conditions so that all of you can take pride in your military service and focus solely on your duties," and promised, "We will carefully ensure that your dedication to defending the homeland is properly rewarded."

In the guestbook, Acting President Han wrote, 'I infinitely trust and support the world’s best forward 1st Division.'

At the JSA Battalion conference room, he met with soldiers and said, "Given the security situation on the Korean Peninsula is more severe than ever, I believe the role of the JSA Battalion is even more important," and explained, "The JSA Battalion symbolizes the firm ROK-US alliance and solid combined defense posture at the forefront of the Korean Peninsula’s defense."

He continued, "The ROK-US alliance, regarded as the most exemplary alliance worldwide, was born out of the crisis of the Korean War and has shared fate for over 70 years," and expressed, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the US Forces Korea for generously supporting the firefighting efforts in the Yeongnam region, including helicopters."