[Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop] “We will reinforce efforts to implement US extended deterrence and three-axis syste...

On June 8, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop highlighted the plans to "reinforce efforts to implement the US's extended deterrence commitment and the military's Korean-style three-axis system to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats."

Lee made the statement at the policy consultation meeting, which was held to provide an update on the security situation following a series of missile launches by North Korea on Wednesday. "North Korea appears to have laid out the preparations for its seventh nuclear test. The security situation on the Korean Peninsula is very grave," Lee assessed. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US Department of State warned of the high possibility of North Korea carrying out its seventh nuclear test in the near future.

"North Korea has carried out 18 provocations this year, including its launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Last Sunday, on June 5, it fired multiple rocket launcher shots and multiple ballistic missiles from several locations at the same time," Lee commented on North Korea's evolving provocations.

Lee also noted our military's strong readiness posture. "In response to North Korea's missile launches, our military carried out combined firing of ground-to-ground missiles and a show of force in the air. It demonstrated that it is capable and ready to launch immediate precision strikes on the North Korean provocations at their origins, as well as their command and support forces," Lee emphasized.

Lee expressed his will to "respond swiftly and sternly to any provocations from North Korea," stressing that "our military is concentrating on keeping tabs on signs of additional provocation from North Korea and maintaining a thorough readiness posture."

The Korean-style three-axis system is a set of strategies and components that was developed to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, including Kill Chain, Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR).

"North Korea's nuclear and missile threats are continuously evolving," Second Deputy Chief of National Security Office Shin In-ho said, stressing that "with the three-axis system at the center, the government will work to devise measures that will neutralize North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities."

"Regarding North Korea's threats, the government will put fundamental measures in place during its tenure to effectively emasculate the North Korean nuclear and missile threat, while showcasing our own capabilities and readiness," Shin emphasized.

"The National Security Office will strive to expand the extended deterrence capabilities based on a firm ROK-US alliance, and impose measures to fundamentally remove the threat from North Korea," Shin added, urging North Korea to enter a dialogue in order to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and make an effort to stabilize the livelihoods of its people.

The Wednesday meeting was attended by chiefs of security-related ministries, including Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se, National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han, First Deputy Chief of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, and Second Deputy Chief of the National Security Office Shin In-ho.