The Republic of Korea (ROK) has launched a new military command to defend five islands in the West Sea.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said the command, which consists of elements of the army, navy, air force and marines, will be directed by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and will oversee military operations on five frontline islands.
“More K-9 self-propelled guns and artillery-hunting radar have been deployed to the islands … the new command will dramatically strengthen our defence capabilities there,” AFP quotes the Defence Ministry as saying.
The ministry is also planning to construct new bomb shelters for islanders by the end of 2011 and to station attack helicopters on one of the islands.