Pres. Park vows to secure Kill Chain, Korean style MD early on

President Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday “South Korea will secure early on anti-weapons of mass destruction capabilities such as Kill Chain and a Korea Air and Missile Defense System to counter nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

Park made the remarks in her commemorative speech on the 58th Armed Forces Day, saying, “We will make the North Korean regime recognize on its own that nuclear weapons and missiles it blindly pursues will no longer be useful.” The construction of a Korean style air and missile defense system designed to intercept the North’s mid- to long-range ballistic missiles was selected as a state agenda by Park’s presidential transition committee, and is reflected next year’s state budget.

Some analysts say President Park’s remarks on Korea Air and Missile Defense System may represent implicit expression of her rejection of the U.S. request to South Korea to participate in the U.S. missile defense system. On this view, the presidential office said, “The remarks is the president’s expression in person of Korea’s commitment to construct the defense system to cope with the North’s increased threats of nuclear weapons and missiles, and is not statement that was made in consideration of the U.S. missile defense system.”

Another source at the presidential office said, however, “The U.S. missile defense is a system designed to intercept at a high altitude, and it is not compatible with the defense system of South Korea, to which North Korea’s missiles can directly fly in, if fired.” The source added, “At present, we have a long way to go to mobilize combat capability to construct a defense system customized to South Korea, and our participation in the U.S. missile defense system cannot be a subject for discussion,” in clarifying that the Seoul government is not considering participation in the U.S. missile defense system.

“The true raison d´être of the military lies in preventing war, rather than engaging in war,” President Park said in her speech. “We must establish strong deterrence against North Korea, until the North gives up nuclear weapons and makes a right choice to benefit the North Korean people and achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula,” in stressing anew the importance of national security.

“The North is increasingly advancing its nuclear weapons, while stubbornly insisting on nuclear development,” President Park said. “Only when strong defense that never tolerates the North’s provocations is put in place, can South Korea maintain peace, and lead Pyongyang to the path towards genuine changes.”

“The military that our era demands is an innovative military that adapts itself to change, and a creative military that proactively copes with new threats,” President Park said. “Our military should also be reborn as advanced, strong, elite troops.”

“As you servicemen and women make important contributions to the nation, the country will never forget your efforts,” the commander-in-chief said. “I believe that our military will risk their lives to protect the lives and safety of the people. The people are also urged to extend solid trust in and support to our proud armed forces,” in revealing her affection for the military.