Defense chief stresses swift self-defense

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin directed the military to use the right of self-defense in case of another North Korean provocation, in a prompt manner if need be, during a meeting of top military commanders in Seoul Tuesday.

“Under the (minister’s) directive, each commander exercises the right of self-defense first (if need be) and reports to higher authorities later,” said Chang Gwang-il, the ministry’s chief of the defense policy department in a press briefing.

“The exercise of the right means that our military is not bound to the rules of engagement or the Armistice Agreement, and the extent to which we exercise the right is until we strike the origin of the enemy attack. Regarding this matter, both South Korea and the U.S. have concurred.”

Chang added that the Joint Chiefs of Staff will discuss the need to revise the rules of engagement with the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the U.N. Command.