Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday called for an unwavering military posture amid heightened security tensions, urging commanders to maintain high morale among troops.
Choi convened a meeting at the command and control center of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul, where he emphasized the need "to establish an unwavering chain of command and maintain readiness to respond immediately to any provocations from North Korea."
Amid domestic political uncertainty, Choi urged the military not to be discouraged and to continue training as usual. In particular, the acting president stressed the importance of active communication between commanders and front-line troops to ensure high morale.
Choi also called on military personnel to do their utmost in their respective positions to reassure the public about national security during this critical time.
Choi was accompanied by acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myeong-su, acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ko Chang-jun, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Yang Yong-mo, Deputy Commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command Gen. Kang Shin-chul and Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Ju Il-suk, according to the Defense Ministry. Key military officials at the corps commander level and above also joined the meeting via videoconference.
Choi's visit to the Joint Chiefs of Staff was his first since assuming the role of acting president on Dec. 27, 2024.
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