Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
JCS chief nominee backs N. Korea accord
Park Han-ki, the nominee for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), answers questions from lawmakers while participating in a National Assembly confirmation hearing in Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
By Lee Min-hyung
North Korea remains the primary and most threatening enemy of South Korea despite the ongoing momentum for inter-Korean peace, Army General Park Han-ki, the nominee for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said Friday.
“North Korea poses a potential threat as a definite enemy to the South,” Park said in his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. Last month, he was nominated to lead the JCS to fill the vacant position after former JCS chief Jeong Kyeong-doo took office as the nation's new defense minister.
Park went on to express his firm determination to put a top priority on maintaining security readiness and sternly deal with any potential threats from the nation's enemies.
“I will do my best to establish trusted armed forces that can protect the public and the country,” he said, pledging to remain tough on any possible attacks from outside forces.
When asked about his views on an inter-Korean military agreement signed last month, he said the bilateral decision was a move in the right direction in that the agreement included detailed plans for the two Koreas to ease possible military tension.
“I am confident that a potential threat for armed conflicts has declined particularly near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the disputed inter-Korean western sea border, or the northern limit line (NLL),” he said. “I believe the agreement will serve as a turning point to ease inter-Korean military tensions and hostility.”
The two Koreas reached the agreement last month during a three-day summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The agreement outlines a string of inter-Korean military steps to prevent possible conflicts near disputed and tension-ridden areas.
Under the accord, both Koreas have started to clear landmines buried along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the DMZ from Oct. 1, in a bid to turn the area into what they call a peace zone without any military tension.
He also dispelled concerns over the agreement as some argue the peace mood can weaken the nation's military readiness against potential threats from the North.
“I am well aware of the public's concerns, but the agreement is very meaningful for us and we have not made any concessions in it,” he said.
The agreement is based on bilateral trust from both sides, so he expects it to pave the way for new momentum to alleviate inter-Korean hostile relations and possible armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula, the JCS nominee added.