Dramatic improvement in the operational posture and capabilities of ROK 3K Defense

Main content of the Defense Ministry's report to the National Assembly's National Defense Committee

Additional expansion of South Korea-US combined training exercises in the second half of the year

Focus on AI-based Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), space, and cybersecurity

Improving service conditions for junior officers and commanders

Customized spiritual and mental force training using defense media

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik (center) answers a question from a member of the National Assembly at the plenary session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly on August 8.

In its business report to the National Defense Committee on August 8, the Defense Ministry reported on (i) establishing a defense posture that overwhelms the enemy, (ii) strengthening the ROK-US Alliance and defense cooperation, (iii) implementing Defense Innovation 4.0, (iv) improving soldiers' views of the nation, the enemy and soldiership, and (v) cultivating an advanced defense culture to build an strong, advanced military and realize peace through strength.

According to the business report, the Defense Ministry has significantly expanded the ROK 3K Defense posture and capabilities based on the Kill Chain, Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR). While improving execution with the development of operational concepts and plans and conducting training exercises, the Defense Ministry is spending for the timely deployment of weapon systems with improved acquisition processes.

In particular, South Korea-US combined exercises are being strengthened. In the first half of the year, 10 massive mobilization training exercises involving brigade-level troops were conducted, more than double the number of exercises held last year. Multinational combined training exercises will be expanded more in the second half of the year when the strategic command is established.

In particular, the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) 2024 exercise, which will begin on August 19, will establish a total war system to counter North Korea's threats and finally assess the ability of the strategic command to accomplish its mission.

Efforts are being made to establish Korea-US integrated extended deterrence. With the continued operation of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) based on the NCG Guidelines, the concept and method of conventional-nuclear integration (CNI) are being developed, and the posture and capabilities of the ROK-US Alliance is being substantially strengthened by training exercises and the deployment of US strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula.

In addition to Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan security cooperation, a global security network has been deepened and expanded. The Korea-UNC Defense Ministerial Meeting to be held in Korea next month and the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), a Korea-led multilateral security meeting, are part of these efforts.

As for Defense Innovation 4.0, AI-based Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) and a space-cyberspace electromagnetic spectrum operations system are being built. Therefore, Korea Modular Open Systems Approach (K-MOSA) will be implemented for the rapid deployment and sustainment of the MUM-T. The Defense AI Center, established in April, is an organization dedicated to the introduction and use of advanced AI technology, supporting the establishment of AI policy and strategy, and developing AI technology.

In the field of spiritual and mental force enhancement, the role of the Defense Agency for Spiritual and Mental Force Enhancement is being expanded and spiritual and mental force content is being developed through cooperation between the Defense Media Agency and the Defense Agency for Spiritual and Mental Force Enhancement. In particular, spiritual and mental force training tailored to soldiers is being conducted with defense-related media such as Kookbangilbo and KFN TV.

Various measures are being taken to cultivate an advanced defense culture. The Defense Ministry has made efforts to increase the enlistment rate of junior officers with policies such as increasing short-term service incentive (KRW 9 million to KRW 12 million) and ROTC Living Support (KRW 640,000 to KRW 1,800,000 per year), as well as increasing the percentage of long-term service recruits. Additionally, conditions for junior commanders have been improved so that combat commanders can focus on their combat missions.

Individual clothing and equipment are being improved to maximize combat power and meals are being diversified to establish a meal system tailored to soldiers. To create a medical system optimized for military characteristics, the remote medical service is expanding, an intelligent healthcare system is being built, additional medical helicopters are being introduced, and the medical service of divisional healthcare units is being strengthened.

Sergeants receive KRW 1,650,000 per month as compensation for fulfilling military service obligations, consisting of a basic pay of KRW 1,250,000 and government support of up to KRW 400,000 per month to help them build their assets (Installment Deposit to Help Soldiers Prepare for Tomorrow). Next year, as an annual increase, the basic pay for sergeants will be raised to KRW 1,500,000 and the government support to KRW 550,000, for a total of KRW 2,000,000 per month.

The Defense Ministry said, "We will build a strong defense posture that can effectively respond to any provocation from the North, and by strengthening the ROK-US Alliance and defense cooperation with like-minded partners, we will achieve a robust combined defense posture."

The ministry also said, "To cope with the challenging defense environment of the future, we will promote Defense Innovation 4.0 and cultivate correct views of the nation, the enemy and soldiership by soldiers. We will enhance the morale and welfare of the troops and promote an advanced defense culture by fundamentally improving defense operations."

By Hyun-woo, Seo <[email protected]>

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