Military preps for potential nuclear conflict

Plan is to minimize damage, neutralize threat

Data submitted to the National Assembly by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on October 11 said, "Since North Korea declared that it had nuclear weapons last year, the Army has stepped up defense training to maintain fighting power in case of nuclear war."

According to the Army, standard military training has been coupled with training regarding chemical, biological, and radioactive warfare. The Army is performing its training regime under a "positive defense" concept, or one slated at monitoring and neutralizing North Korea’s nuclear-related facilities, weapons systems, and military support facilities. The JCS explained that the Army has also conducted "passive defense" training, focusing on guaranteeing the survival of its soldiers and minimizing damage in case of a North Korean nuclear attack.

The JCS, shortly after North Korea warned that it would conduct nuclear tests, is known to have twice reported to National Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung the necessity to check the Army’s preparation for a nuclear war.

The JCS has not revealed its report in detail, but it mentioned a plan for nuclear war preparedness, a plan not covered in the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command’s (CFC) operation plan No. 5027. The JCS also mentioned the necessity to secure state-of-the-art weapons to counter North Korea’s nuclear bombs, according to military officials.