JCS Chairman Vows 'Resolute Response' to Further North Korean Provocations, Orders Operations to Bolster DMZ Initiative

Jin Young-seung, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has ordered a resolute response to any further provocations by North Korea and instructed the military to carry out operations to strengthen its initiative in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced today (October 20) that Chairman Jin visited a corps headquarters responsible for the central front to inspect military readiness and presided over an operational commanders' meeting attended by the Ground Operations Commander and frontline corps commanders.

Chairman Jin evaluated the operational situation where North Korean troops continue activities near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) even after North Korea's provocation on September 21, and reviewed operational response measures.

"The enemy's laying of landmines south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which severely injured our service members who were carrying out routine operations, is a clear act of provocation and a violation of the Armistice Agreement," Jin stressed.

He continued, "It is unacceptable that North Korea yesterday defined our legitimate operational measures as a provocation and brazenly shifted the blame for escalating military tensions onto our military," ordering, "If the enemy mounts further provocations using our military's legitimate measures as a pretext, respond resolutely."

He also said, "Our military has responded consistently and resolutely in accordance with principles and standards to the enemy's violations of the Armistice Agreement, such as MDL incursions, and will continue to take unwavering action," directing the military to "carry out operations to reinforce our initiative in the DMZ."

Following the operational commanders' meeting, Chairman Jin inspected the readiness posture of the frontline corps and called for establishing a strict command structure and operational discipline based on a firm resolve to accomplish the mission of protecting the nation and its people.

(Photo: National Assembly Press Corps, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.