South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo has confirmed reports that a special force could target North Korean leadership in the event of an emergency.
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“If it becomes clear the enemy is going to use nuclear missiles, in order to suppress that aim, the idea is to retaliate against the enemy’s key areas, including its leadership”, he told lawmakers Wednesday at the National Assembly.
It has always been suspected that such a plan was in place but the minister’s candid answer surprised some. “… Not presenting that to the president, not training for it and having that capability would be a mistake”.
North Korea has been under pressure from the global community since its January nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch in February, which resulted in tightening sanctions against Pyongyang in the new UN Security Council resolution in March.
The country’s state-run media reported Tuesday a “successful” test of a powerful new engine, fueling speculation it may launch a long-range rocket in line with the anniversary of its ruling party’s founding in less than three weeks.
North Korea has been defiant in the face of mounting worldwide pressure for continued nuclear tests.
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Earlier this month, Leem Ho Young, Chief Director of Strategic Planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described a new system called the Korea Massive Punishment & Retaliation (KMPR) just hours after North Korea claimed it had tested a nuclear warhead.
