Why Seoul is a Safe City

Personnel changes have been made across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including the dismissal of Army Chief of Staff General Bra, with only half of the US military's four-star general positions currently filled.

The administration has shown a tendency to screen personnel based on their support for gender equality, religious freedom, and LGBT military service.

Individuals who support these values or do not align with the Trump administration's ideology face disadvantages in personnel matters, indicating a political distortion of the military personnel system.

An Aviation Week official expressed surprise at how many were considering relocating to Korea.

They expressed a desire to retire in Korea, revealing anxiety about the current political situation.

Among high-ranking US military officials, there is a growing trend to prefer Korea as a retirement destination.

Signs have been observed of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-US war fronts merging, with Ukraine attacking Iran, Russia's backer.

Concerns are rising that if the two wars combine and their fronts connect, it could escalate into World War III.

Warnings are emerging that localized conflicts could expand into a world war due to the disappearance of the US, which historically acted as a mediator in international disputes.

Historical and territorial conflicts between NATO members Turkey and Greece are intensifying.

In the past, there was a direct air force bombing incident between Israel and Turkey, illustrating a complex aspect of international affairs.

Recently, Greece and Israel signed a 4 trillion won defense contract, showing new alliances forming amidst conflicts of interest among allies.

Armed clashes and civil war patterns between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and long-standing disputes between countries like India-China and Thailand-Cambodia, continue without end.

Unlike in the past, cooperation between the US, China, and Russia to achieve ceasefires through alignment of interests is no longer possible, leaving the international order to manage conflicts paralyzed.

Similar to the Cold War era, nuclear-armed nations tend to engage in localized provocations while avoiding full-scale war.

As seen in the case of India and Pakistan, nuclear possession does not lead to a reduction in border disputes, and North Korea is likely to continue localized provocations, relying on its nuclear weapons for regime survival and internal cohesion.

The phenomenon of nuclear-armed states like Russia, the US, and Israel not hesitating to wage war was described as a very dangerous situation where nuclear-armed countries do not shy away from conflict.

This situation carries the risk that nuclear weapons could be considered a last resort in a crisis.

Seoul and the metropolitan area are the core of South Korea's defense and the apex of its security; our posture in all security and defense sectors is focused on defending Seoul.

During the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, defense scenarios were reviewed assuming the worst-case scenario of Seoul being breached.

Even when defense facilities are dismantled, alternative forces and defense plans are established to maintain the metropolitan area's defense capabilities.

It can respond quickly, taking less than 1-2 minutes from origin detection to strike.

Compared to the rapid firing speed of K9 self-propelled howitzers, North Korea's Koksan self-propelled gun has a slower refiring speed of 3-5 minutes, making effective suppression possible.

This missile is deployed in a fixed launcher form at confidential locations and can be launched within 20 seconds without the need for coordinate input.

It uses a thermobaric warhead to maximize internal bunker explosions, effectively neutralizing North Korea's long-range artillery positions.

While efforts are being made to reinforce defensive equipment after the drone intrusion incident near the Presidential Office, continuous countermeasures are needed due to North Korea's development of new attack methods.

Some raise concerns that North Korean troops may accumulate modern warfare combat experience through deployment to Russia.

However, our military can sufficiently secure combat data on North Korean forces through data from Ukraine deployments and other sources.

Data on North Korean forces can be collected by utilizing intelligence assets such as acquiring missile blueprints, thus providing a counter-argument to criticisms of a lack of combat experience.

It immediately retaliates with the power of approximately 200 Hyunmoo-5 missiles with 8-ton warheads and includes a Kim Jong-un elimination operation designed for automatic response even if the command system is hit.

It operates 'decapitation strike' units that use pinpoint strikes to eliminate leadership such as Kim Jong-un, and in an emergency, it is designed for automatic retaliation even if the command system is hit.

Hyunmoo-5, with bunker-buster penetration capability to strike North Korea's underground facilities, is considered a strategic stronghold.

Even in the event of war, it is emphasized that maintaining livelihoods and daily life is important rather than unconditional evacuation.

Subway stations and designated underground shelters will be used to create survival environments, and national systems such as communication networks and financial services are expected to operate mostly even during wartime.

The government does not recommend unconditional evacuation to citizens in wartime situations and explains that it is necessary for citizens to continue their daily lives to maintain national functions.

This is based on the judgment that national functions must be maintained to overcome and recover from wartime situations.

Legally, some vehicles such as fishing boats, transport ships, and SUVs or trucks can be registered as subjects for wartime requisition.

However, this is an emergency measure used when all military vehicles have been destroyed, and it does not involve the forced requisition of private vehicles from the outset of a war.