The South Korean Ministry of National Defense said it would establish a new strategic command responsible for implementing and overseeing the country’s so-called “three-axis” defense system.
The development comes amid international concern that North Korea is preparing to conduct another nuclear weapons test.
The new command will reportedly be capable of utilizing weapons from all three branches of the South Korean military to bolster the nation’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
The ministry plans to establish the new body in 2024, with specific missions and functions formulated as early as next year.
Once created, the strategic command is expected to oversee the operations of South Korea’s existing and future military assets, which include F-35A combat jets, missile interceptors, ballistic missiles, and reconnaissance satellites.
The Three-Axis System
South Korea’s “three-axis” defense system is designed to counter North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats.
It consists of three key strategies: the Kill Chain preemptive strike system, the Korea Air and Missile Defense system for shooting down missiles, and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan.
Under the current system, military assets critical to the “three-axis” strategy are commanded by different military branches, with each service issuing separate orders for the weapons to operate.
The new strategic command will reportedly enable smoother execution of the three-axis response system and allow for a more effective combination of weapons against North Korean threats.
