Recent maritime breaches along South Korea’s coastal borders have raised concerns about the reliability of the country’s main defense tools: the Thermal Observation Device (TOD) and radar. The TOD detects nighttime objects based on their heat signatures, while radar uses radio waves to identify distant objects. Together, they play a crucial role in South Korea’s early warning system.

However, having advanced technology isn’t enough. Defense experts stress the importance of thorough training and expertise among ROK Army personnel for these systems to be effective.

STRENGTHS AND SHORTCOMINGS

In 2019, following the ROK defense ministry’s oversightduring a defection incident at