S. Korean defense minister calls for establishment of inter-Korean joint military committee

South Korean Marine Corps Commandant Lee Seung-do (left) during an audit by the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee on Oct. 21. (Yonhap News)

Says there’s no need to respond to criticism of marine commandant’s comments of “leveling” N. Korean island

South Korean Marine Corps Commandant Lee Seung-do (left) during an audit by the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee on Oct. 21. (Yonhap News)

“We aren’t making any progress [on related discussions] because the inter-Korean joint military committee hasn’t been set up,” said South Korean National Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo on Oct. 21, adding that “there are a lot of disappointments.” Jeong also said he doesn’t think “there’s any point in responding” to North Korean criticism of remarks by Marine Corps Commandant Lee Seung-do, who said that the marines had plans to “level” North Korea-controlled Hambak Island in the event of a war. 

Jeong made these remarks when asked about setting up an inter-Korean joint military committee during an audit of his ministry by the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, adding that “this kind of thing needs to go well if it’s to have any meaningful effect.” The inter-Korean joint military committee is the body that’s supposed to oversee a detailed assessment of the implementation of the inter-Korean military agreement reached on Sept. 19, 2018, but the committee hasn’t been established yet. 

“There are no problems with ongoing tension-easing programs on the border area that were instituted by the military agreement. We’re providing powerful backing to the government’s policy,” the minister said. 

Jeong also addressed the claim that North Korea hasn’t closed the gunports on its coastal cannons at the Kaemori base. “The gunports are sometimes opened a couple times a day, but we have no evidence that that will lead to hostile action,” he said. 

When lawmakers pointed out that the North had promised to close the gunports in its military agreement, Jeong emphasized that “we’re in a state of constant readiness, and our response is airtight.” 

“Rather than debating whether or not something is a violation or a provocation, we’re always watching North Korea’s military movements,” he underlined. 

In regard to Lee’s remarks about plans to “level” Hambak Island, Jeong said, “Commandant Lee expressed his ideas with resolution and vigor, and I thanked him for having aptly expressed his intentions.” 

Jeong also elaborated on his statement during the audit on Oct. 18 that Lee’s remarks “shouldn’t be misunderstood as implying an inter-Korean military conflict,” explaining that he didn’t want people assuming Lee had meant destroying the island itself. According to Jeong, his and Lee’s remarks were “consistent in meaning that observation equipment and facilities would be targeted and neutralized.” 

During the parliamentary audit on Oct. 15, Lee said that “we’ve made plans to use the 2nd Marine Division’s firepower to level the island in the event of a war,” referring to countermeasures against radar facilities that North Korea has built on Hambak Island. 

In response, North Korean propaganda outlets accused the South Korean military of “striking people dumb” with its “offensively confrontational remarks.” 

By Yoo Kang-moon, senior staff writer 

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