By Kang Seung-woo
The nation's military chiefs ordered high vigilance against any possible North Korean provocations amid a power struggle in Pyongyang, Wednesday.
"Two years after Kim Jong-un took power, work is currently underway to reorganize the power structure within the inner circle in North Korea. Under these circumstances, the North is stepping up military capabilities across the country," Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said in a meeting of 140 military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense including Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
"The North Korean regime has created an atmosphere of fear in the process of cementing power, which could in turn lead to unprovoked attacks. In light of the current changes, we should prepare for both provocations and a full-scale war."
His remarks come a day after the North Korean leader's uncle, Jang Song-thaek, is believed to have been sacked after two of his close confidants were publicly executed, according to the National Intelligence Service.
However, the defense chief remained cautious over the complete purge of Jang, the husband of Kim Jong-il's powerful sister Kim Kyung-hui, noting additional information is needed to confirm the intelligence and predict the reclusive state's next move.
The minister added that the North has boosted its front-line military capabilities, while its leader has often inspected units deployed on its northwest islands, an indication that the Stalinist country may come up with provocative actions in the region.
In November 2010, the North shelled Yeongpyeong Island, killing two marines and two civilians.
According to the defense ministry, the JCS ordered troops Tuesday to step up intelligence watches and their military readiness posture, but as of Wednesday, there was no specific move from the North Korean military.
In response to the growing threat posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons, the ministry pledged to speed up the establishment of the independent Korea Air and Missile Defense System and a kill-chain pre-emptive missile destruction system by upgrading current missile defense and acquiring surveillance satellites.
On the same day, the JCS chairman hosted a meeting of operational commanders and discussed the North Korea issue.
"Our mission is to deter North Korea's provocations in peace time, while maintaining readiness for an all-out war," Choi said.
"We will strongly respond against any of the enemy's threats by completing our assigned missions."
The nation's military chiefs ordered high vigilance against any possible North Korean provocations amid a power struggle in Pyongyang, Wednesday.
"Two years after Kim Jong-un took power, work is currently underway to reorganize the power structure within the inner circle in North Korea. Under these circumstances, the North is stepping up military capabilities across the country," Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said in a meeting of 140 military commanders at the Ministry of National Defense including Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
"The North Korean regime has created an atmosphere of fear in the process of cementing power, which could in turn lead to unprovoked attacks. In light of the current changes, we should prepare for both provocations and a full-scale war."
His remarks come a day after the North Korean leader's uncle, Jang Song-thaek, is believed to have been sacked after two of his close confidants were publicly executed, according to the National Intelligence Service.
However, the defense chief remained cautious over the complete purge of Jang, the husband of Kim Jong-il's powerful sister Kim Kyung-hui, noting additional information is needed to confirm the intelligence and predict the reclusive state's next move.
The minister added that the North has boosted its front-line military capabilities, while its leader has often inspected units deployed on its northwest islands, an indication that the Stalinist country may come up with provocative actions in the region.
In November 2010, the North shelled Yeongpyeong Island, killing two marines and two civilians.
According to the defense ministry, the JCS ordered troops Tuesday to step up intelligence watches and their military readiness posture, but as of Wednesday, there was no specific move from the North Korean military.
In response to the growing threat posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons, the ministry pledged to speed up the establishment of the independent Korea Air and Missile Defense System and a kill-chain pre-emptive missile destruction system by upgrading current missile defense and acquiring surveillance satellites.
On the same day, the JCS chairman hosted a meeting of operational commanders and discussed the North Korea issue.
"Our mission is to deter North Korea's provocations in peace time, while maintaining readiness for an all-out war," Choi said.
"We will strongly respond against any of the enemy's threats by completing our assigned missions."
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