Moon reaffirms early OPCON transfer

President Moon Jae-in and Defense Minister Song Young-moo review troops during a ceremony marking the 69th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. / Joint Press Corps

President says peace requires strong defense capabilities

By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in has reaffirmed his pledge to take back wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from the United States Forces Korea (USFK) as soon as possible, saying it will improve the military's deterrence capability against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

He also encouraged the early establishment of a domestic defense system and vowed to reform the defense industry.

Moon reiterated the need for strong defense during an Armed Forces Day celebration at the headquarters of the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday.

Armed Forces Day falls Oct. 1, but the government advanced the date of the event ahead of the 10-day Chuseok holiday break beginning Sept. 30.

"We are pursuing the early takeover of OPCON," Moon said in a speech. "The handover on the basis of our independent defense capabilities will ultimately lead to a remarkable advancement in the fundamental capabilities of our military."

Moon's predecessor Park Geun-hye delayed the OPCON transfer, which was initially scheduled for December 2015, until late 2020. Moon has pledged to move up the date to during his five-year term if possible.

"When the South has OPCON, the North will fear us more, and our armed forces will be trusted more. With elevated self-esteem, our military will become stronger, and the Republic of Korea will emerge as a security hub in Northeast Asia," the President said.

For that goal, Moon said the nation needs to secure stronger deterrence capabilities against the North's provocations, including setting up a three-pronged defense system — a Kill Chain preemptive defense system, Korea Air and Missile Defense and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation.

"As these three powerful Korean systems are the core of our military's independent capabilities, I hope every effort will be made for their early completion."

Deployment of strategic US weapons in progress

2017-09-28 16:16 | Defense

A Taurus long-range air-to-surface missile is on display during a media day presentation of a commemoration event marking Armed Forces Day at the Navy 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. / AFP-Yonhap

Stressing strong security as the key to making and maintaining peace, Moon said the government is making efforts to enhance the country's military readiness and stabilize the current situation so escalating tension will not lead to a military clash.

"Our government's determination to protect peace requires strong defense capabilities. And we will stand up against reckless provocations with strong punishment," he said.

He called for strengthened South Korea-U.S. combined defense capabilities.

"It will be possible to fundamentally curb the North's nuclear provocations when the alliance's extended deterrence is actually exercised."

The President also called for the eradication of any problems in the military that could harm soldiers' morale and eventually damage national defense.

"Corruption in defense acquisition programs is not only a crime but also an enemy of national security. It is an act benefiting the enemy that spreads distrust in the armed forces and, as a result, hurts the morale of most employees in the industry who devote themselves quietly to the country and, moreover, that of the entire army."

Soldiers of the Army Special Forces arrive to demonstrate their martial arts skills in front of Hyunmoo-2 and Hyunmoo-3 missiles at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek. / AP-Yonhap

Celebration at naval base and strategic weapons

This was the first time for the government to hold its Armed Forces Day celebration at a naval base: Previous events were held at the Gyeryongdae tri-service headquarters in South Chungcheong Province.

"Gyeryongdae is relatively small in size, so previous events were focused on the Army. But the 2nd Fleet has a larger base where the Army, Navy and Air Force can participate," a Cheong Wa Dae official said.

The 2nd Fleet is also in charge of defending the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea, so the selection of the ceremony venue also signified Moon's strong determination to sternly deal with North Korean provocations, according to the official.

During the celebration, strategic weapons were displayed including Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missiles, Hyunmoo-3 cruise missiles, surface-to-surface missiles of the Army Tactical Missile System, Taurus air-to-surface missiles, PAC-2 Patriot interceptor missiles and mid-range surface-to-air missiles.

Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander of the USFK and the Combined Forces Command (CFC), was also awarded the Tongil Medal of the Order of National Security for his dedicated service in South Korea's defense. It was the first time for a CFC commander to receive a medal at an Armed Forces Day event.

After the ceremony, Moon inspected the destroyer Munmu the Great and had lunch with officers onboard.