Newly appointed Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung emphasized that military readiness is essential for building inter-Korean trust. Responding to Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young's call to halt training in the inter-Korean border area, Jin stated that while easing tensions is necessary, military resolve and preparedness are important and forward area training is inevitable. Jin added that if the two Koreas mutually and reciprocally restore military agreements, training suspensions could be considered within that scope, but expressed concern about South Korea unilaterally lowering its guard. Defense Minister An Kyou-baek also opposed Jeong's position, confirming approval of naval live-fire exercises near the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea and arguing that restoration of military agreements must be achieved through mutual negotiations and dialogue between the two sides.
