Yoon calls for bolstering readiness against N. Korea's 'gray zone' provocations

President Yoon Suk Yeol called for bolstering readiness against North Korea's "gray zone" provocations and hybrid warfare as South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual joint exercise on Monday.

According to Report, which cites Yonhap, Yoon said during a Cabinet meeting that this year's Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will focus on integrating the allies' capabilities under various crisis scenarios to deter North Korea's evolving military threats, psychological warfare and cyberattacks.

"We must strengthen our readiness to respond to North Korea's gray-zone provocations, such as the spread of false information, fake news and cyberattacks," Yoon said. "Anti-state forces that threaten the free democracy are operating covertly in various places."

Yoon warned that the North might seek to create social instability through violence, propaganda and agitation at the early stages of a conflict.

"We must actively seek methods to block division and raise people's resolve to resist," Yoon said. "To maintain national security and raise our war preparedness, we must firmly protect transportation, communication, water, social infrastructure, and critical national facilities."