
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo vowed Monday to firmly respond in the event of North Korea's military provocations as he inspected readiness posture at a front-line unit, along with the deputy chief of the U.N. Command (UNC).
Kim made the remark during a visit to a western front-line general outpost and guard post, accompanied by UNC Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay, according to the JCS.
During the visit, the top military officer ordered troops to establish an optimal system for surveillance operations and strive to maintain a firm readiness posture in any situation.
"Should the North conduct a provocation, we should sternly respond without hesitation," Kim was quoted as saying.
As part of the visit, the JCS chairman underscored South Korea's sovereignty and national defense, while reaffirming the importance of the armistice with the UNC deputy commander.
The UNC was established under a 1950 U.N. mandate to support South Korea against North Korean aggression during the 1950-53 Korean War, which technically has never ended as a peace treaty was not signed.