Defense Ministry Vows Firm Response to Kim Yo-jong's Remark on Resuming Loudspeaker Broadcasts Toward South
The Ministry of National Defense, in a statement issued under the name of its press office on the 20th, warned that it would sternly punish any additional provocations by North Korea in response to remarks by Kim Yo-jong, head of the General Affairs Department of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, about reviewing the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts toward the South. The ministry rebutted Kim's statement, saying, "Warning broadcasts and warning shots are legitimate defensive measures to prevent North Korean troops from crossing the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and to expel any troops that do," and expressed serious concern over North Korea for raising tensions by criticizing the measures.
On-site command checks were also carried out. Gen. Jin Young-seung, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, chaired a meeting of operational commanders at the corps headquarters responsible for the central front that day and ordered, "If the enemy uses our military's legitimate measures as a pretext to launch additional provocations, respond decisively." Jin also ordered the execution of an operation to strengthen dominance over the DMZ.
The response policy was reaffirmed at the National Assembly Defense Committee's annual audit the same day. Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, Navy Chief of Staff, said of Kim Yo-jong's statement, "The Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea is a maritime demarcation line that our sailors have defended with their blood," adding, "If North Korea crosses the NLL, we will repel it immediately and forcefully in accordance with procedures."
Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties spoke with one voice. Kim Byung-ju of the ruling Democratic Party, the committee's secretary from the majority, said, "Instead of apologizing, they are actually threatening us." Rep. Lim Jong-deuk of the opposition People Power Party, the committee's secretary from the minority, criticized Kim Yo-jong's statement as "the aggressor playing the victim," saying, "Would they have acted this way if our military had responded decisively when the 25th Division landmine explosion incident occurred?"
The Ministry of Unification also issued a statement the same day, urging North Korea to join efforts to resolve the issue, saying, "The two Koreas must align their positions on the Military Demarcation Line and swiftly establish a communication system for its peaceful management."
