Navy chief inspects maritime combat readiness in East Sea

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- The Navy chief ordered maritime forces Tuesday to stand with full combat readiness for the possibility of unexpected military provocations by North Korea.

"The enemy has always launched provocations in manners and timings that are hard for us to predict," Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Jung Ho-sup said during his visit to the 1st Fleet based on the east coast.

Jung inspected the maritime defense posture of the maritime forces in the East Sea area during the visit which came after North Korea's latest nuclear test on Jan. 6 escalated military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

"Forces should maintain a defense posture under which they could react immediately even in a highly unexpected emergency situation," the Navy chief said, aboard an Aegis destroyer patrolling the East Sea.

"If the enemy's submarines launch provocations, do not fail to track and sink them," the admiral noted.

pbr@yna.co.kr
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