President Moon Jae-in made a visit to the military field test site of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) at 10:30 this morning. He observed a test-firing of a ballistic missile and checked on the defense posture against North Korean missile threats. His visit today to the Agency was aimed at giving a grave warning against the string of recent provocations by North Korea.

The Hyeomu-2 ballistic missile test-fired today is a key component of Korea’s Kill Chain weapons system that can neutralize the North Korean threat of nuclear missiles, which are being upgraded and becoming a reality. The Hyeonmu-2 flew its intended range and hit a target with accuracy.

The success of the missile launch today is meaningful in that Korea has secured the maximum missile range and capacity in accordance with the new Korea-U.S. missile guideline. Marking the fourth of six test-firings today, the Hyeonmu-2 will be deployed after two more test-launches.

President Moon said that today he felt very proud of and reassured by the ADD, adding that the Korean people wonder very much about our military`s missile capabilities with the North`s continued missile provocations and sophistication of relevant technologies. Saying that he was also curious about it, the President added he felt reassured with the realization that our people can feel at ease after he had been briefed on the military`s missile capabilities. Speaking of concerns many people had voiced over his inspection of the test-firing, President Moon said he, as President, made the visit to observe in person, check and offer words of encouragement.

In addition, the President said that his visit today took place in line with his belief that there was a need to reassure the public by letting them know that our military is equipped with sufficient missile capabilities. The President went on to say that the people would be able to realize that South Korea`s missile capabilities do not lag behind those of the North`s, thereby feeling reassured and proud.

Stressing that he put a great emphasis on dialogue, President Moon said, however, dialogue was only possible when it was backed by strong military power and an engagement policy was only feasible when we had national security strength that could overwhelm the North. The President went on to say that in that sense, the arms system developed by the ADD was not a tool of destruction or decimation but a means of dialogue and peace, adding that those who worked at the ADD could be very proud of taking charge of national defense with the power of science. The President continued that he could clearly promise that the Government would strongly support their endeavors.

President Moon’s visit to the Agency was arranged without excessive protocol and formality. ADD officials and employees said they wanted to stress that the President’s visit and encouragement today helped them take great pride in their job when they could not even inform their families of what kind of work they were doing at the ADD. The President wrote in the guestbook at the ADD, “our national defense powered by our science.”

In the meantime, President Moon was briefed on the development of the Kill Chain preemptive strike system and the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), which were being prepared by the military. Present at the briefing were ADD officials and employees, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration as well as the military commanders, including the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force.