Seoul to reinforce military organization in charge of N. Korean WMD threats

The South Korean military will strengthen its preparedness against increasing North Korean nuclear and missile threats by forming a new organization, multiple government sources said Sunday.

The sources said the Joint Chiefs of Staff will seek to expand what is currently a department handling threats of weapons of mass destruction into the tentatively named "North Korean Nuclear and WMD Response Center."

The sources added that the new center will be formed within November, with an Air Force brigadier general at the helm. It will have three to four departments in operation.

According to the sources, the JCS has determined that the North Korean threats of nuclear and missile attacks have reached a critical level, and it reported its plans for the organizational change to Defense Minister Han Min-koo during the military commanders' meeting last Thursday.

This year alone, North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests, while launching 21 ballistic missiles and three submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

North Korea is also said to have made progress in producing a miniaturized nuclear warhead, and to be ready to deploy SLBMs on 2,000-ton submarines. The country is also reportedly building a 3,000-ton submarine that can carry at least three SLBMs.

Against this backdrop, the new response center will be tasked with formulating operation plans and tactical response plans, according to the sources.

"The new organization will be made up of the finest experts in the field from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force," one military source said. "They will be working with civilian experts to respond efficiently and quickly to serious North Korean nuclear and missile threats." (Yonhap)