Defense chief inspects security safety control tower ahead of APEC summit

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his office in Seoul, Oct. 17. Yonhap

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Friday inspected the country's safety and protection readiness for participants in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set for next week, officials said.

Ahn made the visit to the Security Safety Control Group and the military's Operations Command in charge of ensuring the safety and protection of participants for the multilateral event set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

The Security Safety Control Group is a special unit launched to ensure safety for heads of state, delegates and other participants at the upcoming summit.

Ahn stressed the role of the group as the "core control tower" for providing safety and protection for the event, and also urged close cooperation with relevant agencies, including the military, the Presidential Security Service and the National Intelligence Service.

Ahn called on the military to make all-out efforts to ensure there should be no lapses in security and guard operations during the event.