Marine Unit Deployed

[Anchor Lead]

Amid heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea's launch of its Pukguksong-2 missile, a Marine Corps maneuvering unit whose mission is to hit the North's leadership and destroy key facilities was promptly deployed to South Korea's five northwestern islands on Tuesday.

[Pkg]

A Marine Corps air-cushion vehicle carrying some 100 members of a rapid deployment unit established last year in Pohang appeared on the shores of Yeonpyeong-do Island on Tuesday morning. The unit is tasked with special missions in emergency situations, including infiltrating deep into North Korea via air cushion vehicles or helicopters to destroy its nuclear facilities and strike the North's leadership. Military authorities were confirmed to have deployed 500 members of a rapid deployment unit to the nation's five northwestern islands, including Yeonpyeong-do and Baengnyeong-do islands, to respond to North Korea's missile provocations. A joint meeting of military and police personnel was also held in Yeonpyeong-do Island on Tuesday, including the head of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency Park Kyung-min. A senior police official confirmed that contingency evacuation plans for Yeonpyeong-do Island residents were discussed at the joint meeting.

[Soundbite] Moon Sung-mook(Institute for National Security Strategy) : "It appears that the aim is to defend Yeonpyeong-do Island while also demonstrating the South's will to suppress Pyongyang in the wake of North Korea's new threat."

The rapid deployment forces stationed at the five northwestern islands will undergo intensive training with the Marine Corps' Yeonpyeong Unit for two weeks beginning on the 15th, including exercises to simulate infiltration into North Korea.