A Statement of Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD) on the Missile Provocation from North Korea

2019-5-6, KORGAD

On May 4, 2019 under the watchful eye of Kim Jong-un, North Korea launched a series of projectiles featuring a short-range ballistic missile and large-caliber multiple launch rocket systems from Hodo peninsula in the Wonsan area. The rogue nation’s military activity is in direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) and a grave provocation to South Korea and the international community.

“Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD)” strongly condemns Pyongyang’s unlawful provocation and sternly urges the North to shift from pursuing unification under communism by military force to joining in the effort to achieve genuine peace and prosperity. KORGAD expresses its concern over the Moon Jae-in administration’s security policy and strongly demands the administration promptly conduct the following:

First, the Moon administration must honestly acknowledge that its judgement on Kim Jong-un’s determination for denuclearization was flawed and sincerely apologize to the public. Also, the execution of the “Panmunjom Declaration signed on April 27, 2018” and “Pyongyang Joint Declaration signed on September 19, 2018” on the premise of North Korea’s denuclearization should be deferred until solid proof of the North’s determination for nuclear disarmament and peace is confirmed.

Second, the “Inter-Korean Military Agreement signed on September 19, 2018, for the Implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration” became null and void due to the hermit kingdom’s missile provocation. The Moon administration must immediately abrogate the “Inter-Korean Military Agreement signed on September 19”–it is no better than an instrument of surrender.

Third, the administration must solidify the ROK-U.S. alliance and immediately restore an information sharing system, the foundation of the joint defense posture between the two nations. Also, the administration should strengthen its intelligence surveillance capability toward North Korea by fully utilizing the combined reconnaissance assets of the ROK and US to preemptively detect signs of North Korea’s provocations based on close cooperation with the United States Forces Korea.

Fourth, the Moon administration must overhaul the current missile deterrence and response system in its entirety, including the Korean triad system considering the North’s advancement in missile technology and construct an enhanced version early on. Now is high time for the administration and the military to honestly inform the public of the North’s threat and come up with practical solutions.

Fifth, the Ministry of National Defense initially described the North’s test as a missile launch, but merely 40 minutes later gave a vaguer description of “projectiles,” making its intention vastly questionable. Military facts closely linked to the fate of the nation should not be swayed by the administration’s political and ideological interest. Men and women in uniform must only obey the Constitution and serve the public, and they should not act against military facts.

Sixth, the administration must immediately stop its so-called “sunflower policy” towards the North and actively join the international community’s effort in sanctioning Pyongyang according to the UNSCRs.

Last but not least, we at KORGAD earnestly urge servicemen and women to engrave upon their mind the importance of “devotion to serve their country and faithfully perform their duty.”

May 6, 2019

All Members of Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation

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About Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD)

KORGAD was established on January 30, 2019, as a non-profit, non-partisan, and private NGO concerned about national security. Its establishment was directly prompted by the Inter-Korean Military Agreement signed on September 19, 2018, which is believed to undermine the security capabilities of the ROK Armed Forces and threaten the ROK-U.S. Alliance that has provided the nation with a shield for security and prosperity. Its membership comprises some 800 patriotic South Korean retired generals and admirals including 8 former Defense Ministers and some 40 former four-star generals and civilian security experts. KORGAD, neither incorporated in or an agent of any government and/or a foreign principal, is solely supported by voluntary contributions of its members and strives to provide public services and enlighten the people pro bono publico in the area of national defense and security.