Military envisions combat forces deployment on island of Ulleung, East Sea

The military is envisioning the deployment of combat marine forces on the island of Ulleung in the East Sea, a move that could add military pressure on North Korea and enhance the defense of the easternmost islets of Dokdo, a military official said Thursday.

If the deployment vision is put into action, it could form a U-shaped coastal defense system linking the group of islands near the inter-Korean border in the Yellow Sea and the southern resort island of Jeju to Ulleung, located about midway along South Korea's east coast.

Marine forces are currently deployed in the Yellow Sea islands, the frequent target of North Korea's military provocations.

The military will also launch a marine forces brigade on Jeju Island next month.

However, Ulleung currently maintains only a base for reserve forces, led by a major-level officer from the Marine Corps.

If carried out as envisioned, the deployment on Ulleung, 90 kilometers west of Dokdo, could give a strong warning against Japan, which has repeatedly laid territorial claims to the rocky islets.

It is also anticipated to step up deterrence against North Korea's potential aggression because the completion of the U-shaped marine forces line-up could provide capacities to infiltrate to the center of North Korea from its shares in the event of an emergency situation.

"The Marine Corps forces to be based on Ulleung will be in charge of defending the strategic island as well as disaster response and other civilian protection duties," the official said.

Referring to the plan, another military official said specifics of the plan have yet to be determined, including the size of the troops to be deployed on Ulleung.

In line with the deployment plan, the Marine Corps plans to launch a new command for the defense of strategically important islands by 2020s, according to officials. (Yonhap)