Defense chief highlights training to neutralize N. Korean nuclear, missile threats

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik called on troops Wednesday to master operational systems to neutralize North Korean nuclear and missile networks as he visited a key command bunker amid an ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercise. Shin made the call at Command Post TANGO (Theater Air Naval Ground Operations) in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, on the second to last day of the Freedom Shield exercise that began last week to boost deterrence against the North's military threats. "Through this exercise, (we) must master operational systems that neutralize the North's nuclear and missile network early on," Shin was quoted by his office as saying. "(We) must also strengthen operational capabilities to the next level to overwhelm the enemy in all domains." The bunker complex serves as the primary command and control center of South Korean and U.S. forces in the event of an armed conflict. It is known to be strong enough to survive a tactical nuclear attack. The minister also visited the Army Special Warfare Comma nd in Icheon, 56 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and called on troops to maintain readiness to "swiftly eliminate" the North Korean leadership if it decides to wage war. "If Kim Jong-un decides to start war, as a key unit of Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), (you) must become the world's strongest special operations unit to swiftly eliminate the enemy leadership," Shin was quoted as saying. KMPR refers to an operational plan to incapacitate the North's leadership in a major conflict. It is a pillar of the military's "three-axis" deterrence system against North Korea, which also includes the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike platform and the Korea Air and Missile Defense system. South Korean and U.S. special operations troops have been staging combined strike drills to hone combat capabilities since last Friday in connection with Freedom Shield, according to the ministry. Source: Yonhap News Agency