S. Korea leader bolsters military against rival Pyongyang
SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of — South Korea’s acting leader, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, sought to bolster the armed forces in a New Year’s message aimed as much at potential North Korean provocation as the morale of southern troops.
Hwang, who is leading the country while a court decides on whether to accept the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and remove her from office, knows that North Korea may be his biggest challenge. Last year Pyongyang staged a string of missile test-launches and two nuclear tests, and, with instability in Seoul and a new president set to take over this month in Washington, many expect more trouble from North Korea.
“Our people have firm faith in our troops as they maintain stern military readiness with strong willpower,” Hwang said in a recorded message for the troops.
Hwang said Seoul will spend whatever it takes to support the armed forces.