Yoon Suk-yeol calls for full preparation in case of war in visit to defense agency

President Yoon Suk-yeol called on officials to always be fully prepared for war in a visit to the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in Daejeon Thursday after the recent intrusion of North Korean drones into the South's airspace.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, left, is briefed on the development of South Korea’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in a visit to the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in Daejeon Thursday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk-yeol called on officials to always be fully prepared for war in a visit to the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in Daejeon Thursday after the recent intrusion of North Korean drones into the South's airspace, which he described as an "unacceptable" move.

"The North Korean drones' violation of our airspace was an absolutely unacceptable incident," Yoon said at the ADD. "We must make North Korea realize that with provocations come serious consequences."

Yoon's visit to the state-run arms developer comes three days after five North Korean drones violated the South's airspace and Seoul's military failed to shoot them down.

"Our military must become a powerful one that instills impenetrable fear in our enemy and firm confidence in our people," said Yoon. "In order for us to attain peace, we must make overwhelmingly superior war preparations. We must clearly realize that with disguised peace, we not only will not be able to defend our security, but its foundation will be undermined."

At the ADD, Yoon checked on the overall status of weapons development, including surveillance, reconnaissance and interception capabilities, according to the presidential office. It was also an opportunity to assess the South Korean military's asymmetric powers such as drones and missiles, and for Yoon to stress the need to reinforce its response to the North's asymmetric threats.

Yoon ordered an overall review of the military's response system to not only North Korean drones but any and all flying objects intruding upon South Korean airspace and to "promptly make up for any shortcomings."

Yoon said that "only firm punishment and retaliation against acts that violate our freedom can deter provocations," in a stern warning toward Pyongyang.

"Regardless of whether our opponent has nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, a clear message must be sent to those that habitually carry out provocations that we will not fear them nor will we hesitate," he added.

He said as a nation that "loves and respects freedom and peace," South Korea "rejects wars of aggression" but still must "firmly and resolutely exercise our right to self-defense to protect our freedom."

Yoon then asked the ADD officials, who are in charge of developing the arms systems, "to always be prepared for war and for the safety of the people," in the case of any illegal invasions.

After he was briefed by officials, Yoon toured the UAV and missile research centers and had a luncheon with the agency's researchers. He was accompanied by the defense minister and military top brass.

The 3,500-strong ADD, founded in 1970, is a research institute under the Ministry of National Defense that is in charge of research, development and performance tests of weapons systems necessary for the country's defense and also partakes in civilian-military technology cooperation projects.

On Monday, South Korea's military detected five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) at the inter-Korean border, infiltrating South Korean airspace for the first time in five years. One even flew over northern Seoul skies. The South Korean military failed to shoot them down despite firing over 100 shots, raising questions as to why it was unable to intercept the UAVs despite having done so in the past.

Yoon chastised Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup over the military's failure to shoot down the drones ahead of a Cabinet meeting the next day.

The South's military drew further backlash for mistaking a flock of birds for North Korean drones Tuesday and balloons on Wednesday.

Later in the day, Yoon presided over a National Security Council standing committee meeting and ordered aides to swiftly come up with various measures to better protect the country from North Korea's drone provocations.

Also on Thursday, Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) proposed a parliamentary resolution denouncing North Korea's recent drone infiltration to send a "clear message" to Pyongyang.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]