Korea Times:
The ruling Saenuri Party has called for an overhaul of the country’s missile defense system, Monday, amid growing concerns over a possible missile attack from North Korean submarines.
It also cited the need to further strengthen the alliance between South Korea and the United States and set up joint strategy to cope with the new type of threat from the North.
“With our current missile defense system, we will not be able to take countermeasures against Pyongyang’s submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) if it has really succeeded in test-firing a SLBM,” party floor leader Rep. Yoo Seong-min said during an emergency security meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
“We need to conduct a thorough check-up on our anti-ballistic missile system and set up a new strategy accordingly.”
Yoo and Defense Minister Han Min-koo joined the party’s other senior lawmakers and top-ranked military officials at the meeting.
The party members also called for further cooperation with the international community and the United Nations to curb possible missile and nuclear attacks from North Korea.
The meeting took place in the wake of Pyongyang’s announcement, Saturday, that its regime successfully test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine under the supervision of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The news triggered speculation that the reclusive state may be capable of launching missile strikes in waters off the Korean Peninsula as well as on land.
Meanwhile, Seoul’s indigenous Korean Air and Missile Defense System (KAMD) is only capable of intercepting land-to-air and ship-to-air missiles with the help of U.S. early warning satellites.
Yoo suggested that the South Korean military will be required to set up new strategies in operating its submarine command.
He also urged that South Korea and the United States discuss North Korea’s SLBM capability as their agenda in their annual defense meetings — Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) and Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
“The strength of the Seoul-Washington alliance should be demonstrated at times like this,” Yoo said.
“The public may be unaware of the true nature behind threats posed by Pyongyang’s SLBM.
“It will be necessary to ensure people that we’re closely working with the U.S. to prevent such threats.”
Rep. Won Yoo-chul, the chairman of the Saenuri Party’s Policy Committee, voiced a similar view.
“Considering that South Korea is surrounded by water on three sides, our security situation is in a very serious condition,” he said.
“Our KAMD only assumes North Korea’s nuclear and military attacks from the land.”
“Our armed forces should maintain a solid defense posture to punish our enemy in case it uses military provocation.”
