South Korea inspects capital air defense command

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back visited the Capital Defense Command on Monday to inspect military readiness for air defense, counterterrorism, and other contingencies in the Seoul metropolitan area, the defense ministry said.

According to the ministry, Ahn traveled to the Capital Defense Command in southern Seoul, which is responsible for protecting the capital region, including key government institutions and critical infrastructure. During the visit, he reviewed operational readiness and issued guidance to commanders on maintaining focus on core defense missions amid heightened security demands.

“Now is the time to move beyond the scars of the Dec. 3 insurrection and, with a spirit of self-reliance, devote ourselves to the core mission of defending the capital,” Ahn said, according to the ministry’s statement.

The visit comes as South Korea continues to assess internal security posture and force readiness following political unrest late last year. The Capital Defense Command plays a central role in safeguarding Seoul, home to more than 25 million people in the wider metropolitan area and the seat of political power, military leadership, and economic activity.

As part of the inspection, Ahn also visited the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, where he examined the current air defense posture following the recent relocation of the presidential office. The ministry said the defense chief received briefings on detection, tracking, and response procedures related to aerial threats, as well as coordination mechanisms among air defense units.

South Korea maintains a layered air defense network around the capital region, integrating ground-based air defense systems, radar assets, and command-and-control nodes designed to respond to aircraft, missiles, and unmanned aerial systems. The Joint Air Defense Operations Center is responsible for real-time monitoring and operational coordination during airspace incidents.

Ahn emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and readiness, particularly given evolving threat environments and the concentration of national leadership and infrastructure in the capital area. The ministry did not disclose specific system deployments or changes discussed during the visit.

In addition to air defense, Ahn inspected an anti-terrorism unit operating under the Capital Defense Command. During that visit, he urged personnel to maintain a high readiness posture against potential terror threats and to ensure rapid response capabilities for incidents affecting civilian populations and government facilities.

The defense ministry said the inspection focused on preparedness, discipline, and mission execution rather than force expansion or policy changes. Officials characterized the visit as part of routine command oversight by the defense minister, with an added emphasis on restoring public confidence in the military’s role in internal security.

South Korea’s military has faced increased scrutiny following the Dec. 3 incident, which the government has described as an insurrection. While details of that event were not discussed during the visit, Ahn’s remarks signaled an effort to reassert the military’s institutional focus on national defense and constitutional responsibilities.

The Capital Defense Command is one of the most sensitive formations within the South Korean armed forces, tasked with defending the political and administrative center of the country in both wartime and peacetime contingencies. Its missions include counter-sabotage, counterterrorism, air defense, and support to civil authorities during emergencies.

The defense ministry said Ahn’s visit was intended to reinforce command accountability and operational readiness at a time of heightened public attention on security institutions. No timetable for follow-on inspections or additional measures was announced.