Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul Makes First Camp Humphreys Visit Since Taking Office, Reviews Combined Readiness with General Xavier T. Brunson

[Financial News] Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul visited Camp Humphreys for the first time since taking office on the morning of the 2nd, reaffirming the strong ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and close cooperation between Seoul and Washington. The visit came amid heightened military tensions in border areas following a recent landmine explosion along a search route near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
After arriving at the base and attending a welcoming ceremony with military honors, Minister Kang encouraged the ROK and U.S. service members serving at Camp Humphreys, known as the "heart of the ROK-U.S. alliance." Reflecting on the history of war, Kang emphasized "the importance of a strong determination to 'fight together on the battlefield in the event of a contingency.'" He also called for flawless readiness amid the grave security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Kang then discussed major security issues with General Brunson, commander of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command. General Brunson is a U.S. Army general who began his term in December 2024. Along with serving as commander of United States Forces Korea (USFK) and the United Nations Command, he holds the key position of the senior-most U.S. military officer in Korea. In the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, this officer represents the U.S. Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff while effectively commanding and controlling combined assets and alliance cohesion on the ground.
The meeting took place shortly after the ROK military authorities and the UNC conducted a joint on-site investigation into a North Korean landmine explosion on a DMZ search route on the western front and declared their firm official position that it was a "clear violation of the Armistice Agreement." The joint forensic investigation recovered four North Korean plastic, or resin, antipersonnel mines that had been densely buried in an extremely narrow area approximately 4 meters in diameter along the ROK military's search route. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and RDX, military high-explosive compounds, were also clearly detected in debris from protective materials worn by the injured service members. Minister Kang and General Brunson, the senior-most commander, agreed to further strengthen and maintain the combined defense posture based on close ROK-U.S. coordination amid North Korean provocations threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Kang praised the efforts of key personnel from the ROK/US Combined Forces Command, USFK, and the UNC serving on the ground. He repeatedly urged them to maintain a strong combined defense posture based on the alliance's solid cohesion.
Meanwhile, Minister Kang and General Brunson were reportedly said to have discussed the North Korean landmine explosion while addressing major military and security issues.
After returning to the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul's Yongsan District that afternoon, Minister Kang said, "I discussed various issues with General Brunson, including the landmine explosion." However, the specific details of the discussions were not confirmed.




[email protected] Lee Jong-yoon Reporter