Minister of Defense Shin Won-ji: ``There is a high possibility of North Korea provoking...If it does provoke, we will respond ``immediately, forcefully, and to the end'' - South Korea

Minister of Defense Shin Won-sik said on the 2nd that there is a high possibility that North Korea will launch a direct provocation, and instructed North Korea to retaliate immediately, forcefully, and to the bitter end in the event of a provocation.
On the same day, Minister Shin hosted a meeting of operational commanders to ``establish countermeasures'' and emphasized to military operational commanders a solid military posture against the enemy's tactical surprise provocations.
First, Minister Shin said, ``Recently, amidst the severe international security situation, North Korea has enacted the ``Nuclear First Use Law'' and clearly stated ``Sophistication of Nuclear Weapons'' in its Constitution, increasing the level of its nuclear threats.
It is highly likely that they will carry out direct provocations in order to divert their internal dissatisfaction regarding food and economic hardships to the outside world." He continued, ``Until now, some people believed that North Korea would change, but
, this proved to be a complete illusion and an empty trust. "The enemy will never change, so our country is the only one responding defensively."
He also said, ``Strong combat power comes from an offensive temperament.If the enemy provokes you while possessing an aggressive disposition, the principle is ``immediately, forcefully, and to the end.''
Retaliate accordingly.'' he instructed. After taking office, Minister Shin said that if North Korea were to carry out a provocation, he would first retaliate immediately, second forcefully, and thirdly retaliate until the very end.
It instructs them to respond strongly in accordance with the three principles listed below. At that day's meeting, they also discussed countermeasure plans against various types of provocations by North Korea.
Minister Shin said, ``As we can see from the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Hamas armed struggle, the face of war is changing.
We must thoroughly prepare a concrete countermeasure plan for this type of attack." Furthermore, ``We are moving away from unit operations that focus on report writing and meetings, and instead are working in the field, including bases, operational areas, training grounds, etc.''
"We must foster a ``military-like army'' that will surely win if it fights with a strong sense of security,'' he reiterated. In addition, key officials from the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff attended the meeting that day.
However, operational commanders, including corps commanders, fleet commanders, and drone operations commanders, participated through online meetings.