Defense chief tours key Air Force unit amid N. Korean threats

▲ Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (C) speaks during his visit to the Air Force Operations Command at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 21, 2023, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

defense chief-Air Force unit

Defense chief tours key Air Force unit amid N. Korean threats

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Shin Won-sik on Tuesday visited a key unit tasked with overseeing the Air Force's operations to inspect its readiness against North Korean threats, his office said.

Shin made the visit to Air Force Operations Command at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, amid heightened tensions over Pyongyang's plan to launch a space rocket in the coming days.

During the visit, Shin called for a readiness posture to immediately strike the enemy in case of a provocation, describing the command as the "linchpin" for the defense of the country's airspace.

He also renewed his pledge to push for the suspension of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement -- designed to prevent military clashes in border areas -- citing its restrictions on the South's aerial surveillance capabilities.

Shin met with U.S. 7th Air Force troops stationed at the airbase, stressing the need for joint efforts to strengthen the allies' detection and response capabilities against North Korean missiles.

He also called for expanding trilateral aerial drills between South Korea, the United States and Japan to sharpen deterrence efforts against North Korea.

The three countries staged their first-ever joint air exercise last month over waters south of the Korean Peninsula in a sign of deepening security cooperation.

Shin's inspection came after North Korea informed Japan earlier in the day of its plan to launch the rocket between Wednesday and Dec. 1, despite the South Korean military's warning Monday to stop preparations for the launch.

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