Shin Won-sik Draws Line: "Focus Must Be on North Korean Threat, Not on Countering China"

National Assembly National Defense Committee Audit of the Ministry of National Defense

On October 13, Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik stated that, in light of the recent emphasis by the United States on multilateral cooperation to counter China, "From the perspective of the Republic of Korea, our top priority and focus must be on the Korean Peninsula and the threat from North Korea."

During a National Assembly National Defense Committee audit of the Ministry of National Defense held at the ministry's headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Minister Shin responded to a related question from Kang Dae-sik, a member of the People Power Party, saying, "I understand that, from the U.S. perspective, there is a need to respond collectively to various factors in the Indo-Pacific region," clarifying his position.

Yonhap News Agency

Minister Shin also addressed a question regarding the primary purpose of modernizing U.S. Forces Korea, stating, "I believe the objective is to deter North Korea on the Korean Peninsula. I have not considered anything beyond that in depth." Regarding recent remarks by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who visited South Korea and said that U.S. Forces Korea should respond to both Chinese and North Korean threats, Minister Shin commented, "I cannot agree with that statement."

When asked whether China's recently unveiled strategic weapons could pose a risk to the South Korea-U.S. alliance, Minister Shin replied, "It is natural that the new weapons systems displayed by China during Victory Day present various complex threats to the Korean Peninsula and the region, and we are preparing for them."

Minister Shin was also asked by Lim Jong-deuk, a member of the People Power Party, whether the government's position aligns with Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young's recent claim that live-fire and field exercises should be suspended to preemptively restore the September 19 military agreement. He responded, "That is not the case," and added, "We will ensure organic cooperation among ministries so that we can present a unified voice."

Regarding the restructuring of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, Minister Shin was asked whether there are plans to appoint a civilian head of the counterintelligence agency. He replied, "We have not reached that stage yet," and added, "I believe a reasonable plan will emerge from the current joint civil-military committee."