Seoul, Jan 1 (NationPress) South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back carried out his inaugural inspection of the year on Thursday aboard an airborne early warning aircraft, amidst ongoing security issues related to North Korea, as stated by the ministry.

Ahn boarded the E-737 Peace Eye, accompanied by KF-21, FA-50, and TA-50 jets, marking the first instance of homegrown aircraft serving in such an escort role, according to the defence ministry.

"A nation can achieve sustainable peace only when it possesses the strength to defend itself," Ahn remarked, emphasizing the necessity for the military to proactively ready itself for impending security challenges through independent defence capabilities.

During the flight, Ahn engaged in discussions with unit commanders, including the captain of the ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great destroyer stationed in the East Sea and a Marine battalion commander located on Baengnyeong Island near the maritime boundary with North Korea, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Ahn reiterated the importance of maintaining robust operational readiness during a conversation with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Yong-sung, as conveyed by his office.

In a related development, Gen. Jin Yong-sung on Thursday urged troops to be ready for swift responses in case of enemy provocations, according to his office.

Jin made these statements while leading the military's initial situation assessment meeting of the year, which included video conferences with units in remote areas, such as a general outpost near the North Korean border and a Marine unit on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong. It's notable that North Korea's artillery fire on Yeonpyeong in 2010 resulted in the deaths of two South Korean civilians and two Marines.

He instructed troops to respond swiftly and in accordance with established guidelines during enemy provocations, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Jin also received briefings from commanders of overseas contingents, emphasizing the significance of maintaining operational readiness while ensuring the safety of deployed personnel.

As per the Defence White Paper 2022, a total of 1,005 South Korean troops are stationed across 13 overseas locations, primarily engaged in United Nations peacekeeping and multinational security missions, with key units located in Lebanon, South Sudan, and waters off Somalia for anti-piracy operations.