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“There is still no indication that the North Korean provocation is imminent,” said Robert Abrams, commander of the combined ROK-US commander and USFK commander. Regarding the weapons that North Korea displayed at the fever ceremony last month, he assessed that “there is nothing to worry about except missiles.” It was at a conference with reporters from national and foreign journalists held at the CFC on the second anniversary of the inauguration.
Meeting with Robert Abrams, commander of the combined forces of the ROK and the US.
“It is still too early to set the date” regarding the conversion of OPCON
The combined US-Korean commander Robert Abrams responds at a press conference on the 20th anniversary of his inauguration. [한ㆍ미연합사령부]
In a meeting on the day, Commander Abrams said: “There is no indication that it is imminent,” while “more information needs to be gathered until an assessment is made,” regarding the observation that North Korea may conduct a missile test in line with the Biden government launch in January next year.
Commander Abrams commented on the missile that North Korea introduced at the night fever ceremony on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Labor Party on the 10th of last month: “Some have already undergone test launches, while others have not. have been deployed by North Korea. ” North Korea has fired 17 short-range missile test shots since May 2019, improving range and accuracy and improving solid fuel. I was able to confirm these points during the byeongsik fever. ”
For weapons other than missiles, he said, “I have nothing to worry about.” At the time, North Korea revealed a variety of conventional weapons, including new tanks. In particular, in the case of the new tank, the difference from the existing North Korean tank was clear, as it looked similar in appearance to the American M1 Abrams. “I don’t know if the new weapon is a ‘visual modification’ that changes the appearance of an existing weapon and makes it look new,” Abrams said.
Commander Abrams drew a line on the timing of wartime operational control (OP) transition, saying: “It is premature to set the date.” However, “Korea and the United States are ready to switch immediately if the conditions for the OPCON transition are met.” “There is no change in the policy and position of the United States on this,” he said.
The Korean government has been in a rush to meet the conditions for the transition to OPCON prior to President Moon Jae-in’s term in May 2022. However, it was not possible to complete the FOC verification assessment of the future Allied Forces Command, which it corresponds to the second stage of the three-stage verification process like the Corona 19 incident this year.
Regarding some observations that the United States intends to change the UNC command to combat command after the OPCON transition, “The United Nations Corporation is not a combat command since it gained its authority as a combat command in November 1978. There are no secret plans. “
Joint reporter for the Ministry of National Defense, reporter Lee Cheol-jae [email protected]
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