The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Defense Minister Han orders readiness of missile operations

By KH디지털2

Published : Jan. 10, 2016 - 13:53

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Defense Minister Han Min-koo has instructed the military's missile command to retaliate "speedily and accurately" if North Korea makes any provocations in the aftermath of the communist country's recent nuclear test, the Ministry of National Defense said Sunday.

"If the enemy provokes, retaliate speedily and accurately without hesitation," Han told commanders of the Army's Missile Command during his field inspection on Saturday, according to the ministry.

The visit was made as part of a series of military counteractions South Korea took after the North claimed to have successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test on Wednesday.

Two days after the test, South Korea resumed its loudspeaker broadcasts critical of North Korea along the inter-Korean border in psychological warfare designed to agitate front-line North Korean soldiers.

"Missile Command is a powerful force that gives confidence to South Korean people and fear to the enemy, as well as a core strike unit of the Kill Chain," Han said during the inspection.

The missile unit is in charge of operating South Korea's ballistic and other guided missiles to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

During the visit, Han also ordered the missile unit to beef up its combat readiness and the troops' metal preparedness, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)