Top general inspects border troops amid key allied drills

South Korea's top military officer, Gen. Jin Young-sung, inspected border troops near the North Korean border on Tuesday to ensure their readiness for upcoming joint military drills with the U.S., according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The inspection took place a day after the start of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which Pyongyang has denounced as an invasion rehearsal, citing concerns over possible North Korean provocations.

The JCS Chairman visited a border guard post under the 7th Infantry Division in the central front-line area, urging troops to prepare thoroughly for potential provocations during the drills. Jin also toured another division border unit, receiving an update on its guard operations. He emphasized the heightened risk of North Korean provocations during the allied drills, following a recent incident where another unit allowed soldiers to handle guard duties with unloaded weapons to prevent accidental discharges. The commander of that unit was subsequently relieved of duty due to the lax security practice.