Defense minister visits front-line troops two days running, vows 'merciless' response to provocation

Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul made back-to-back visits to front-line units along the central-eastern front to inspect combat readiness, ordering troops to respond "resolutely" to any enemy provocation or incursion.

Kang visited the Army's 7th Infantry Division on the central-eastern front Thursday, encouraging soldiers who remained at their posts through the holiday period, Yonhap reported.

At the general outpost (GOP) battalion's command-and-control center, Kang received a briefing on current operations and stressed that troops must prevail above all in their state of readiness. "Toward the enemy, you must be fierce, merciless and lethal," he said.

He added that the best defense policy is the best situational response, telling soldiers to act decisively against any provocation or incursion as if he were standing beside them giving the order.

Kang then visited a forward outpost to inspect living conditions and facilities firsthand, reviewing overall service conditions including meals and the general living environment.

"I will continue to improve service conditions so that soldiers who are quietly dedicating themselves to the nation can live without inconvenience and focus solely on their mission," he said.

On Wednesday, Kang visited front-line units of the Army's 25th Infantry Division on the western front — where a suspected landmine explosion had recently occurred inside the Demilitarized Zone — to comfort the troops and check their combat readiness.