South Korea’s Defense Minister Suggested Warning Shots Against North Korean Trash Balloons, Testimony Reveals
In a startling revelation during a National Assembly hearing, Ground Operations Commander Kang Ho-pil testified that former South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun suggested the use of warning shots to address the incursion of North Korean trash balloons in early October last year. The testimony,delivered during a special committee investigating treason charges,has sparked debates over military protocols and decision-making processes.
Commander Kang, responding to questions from Democratic Party of Korea member Min Hong-cheol, clarified that while Minister Kim did not explicitly order a “zero-point strike,” he did inquire about the possibility of shooting down the balloons. “I did not talk about a strike at the zero point, but warned him.I got a call asking if there was a need to shoot,” Kang stated. He further explained that he advised against such action, citing the Ministry of National Defense’s existing response strategy and response manual.
This testimony contradicts earlier denials by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had refuted claims that Minister Kim ordered a warning shot or a strike at the starting point when the balloons were detected. However, Kang’s account confirms that the former minister did raise the idea, even if it was not formally executed.
The incident is part of a broader pattern of north Korean provocations, including the launch of over 5,500 trash balloons into South Korea between May and September last year, as reported by ABC News. Thes balloons, frequently enough carrying waste materials, have been a source of tension between the two nations.
Chain of Command Under Scrutiny
The hearing also shed light on another contentious issue: the alleged dispatch of the 2nd Rapid Response Division during the aftermath of the December 3 civil war.Commander Kang revealed that while there was no actual deployment, inquiries were made about the readiness of the unit. “A lieutenant colonel of the Martial Law Command sent an inquiry to the 7th Corps, and the 7th Corps contacted our Chief of Staff Jijaksa. After receiving the call, I was instructed not to move the unit at all without the commander’s approval,” Kang explained.
However, former Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo, who served as the martial law commander at the time, denied any knowledge of such inquiries. This discrepancy has raised concerns about the integrity of the chain of command within the military.Rep. Min Hong-cheol emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, stating, “It seems the order was given without following the chain of command, but the contents must be thoroughly investigated at the level of the Ministry of National Defense.”
Key Takeaways
| Key Point | Details |
|———————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Warning Shot Proposal | Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun suggested warning shots for trash balloons. |
| Commander Kang’s Response | Advised against action, citing existing response protocols. |
| Joint Chiefs of Staff Denial | Denied claims of a zero-point strike order. |
| 2nd Rapid Response Division | inquiries made about deployment readiness, but no actual dispatch occurred. |
| Chain of Command Concerns | Discrepancies in testimony raise questions about military protocols. |
The revelations from this hearing underscore the complexities of military decision-making in the face of North Korean provocations. As tensions persist, the South korean government faces mounting pressure to ensure clarity and adherence to established protocols.
For more on North Korea’s trash balloon campaigns, visit CNN or explore the findings of parasites and defaced items in the balloons as reported by BBC.
What are your thoughts on the handling of these incidents? Share your perspective in the comments below.
