{"id":2202637,"date":"2023-11-03T17:00:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T08:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202637"},"modified":"2023-11-06T19:05:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T10:05:37","slug":"south-koreas-coastal-defense-the-gap-between-tech-prowess-and-practical-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/11\/south-koreas-coastal-defense-the-gap-between-tech-prowess-and-practical-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s coastal defense: The gap between tech prowess and practical skills"},"content":{"rendered":"
Recent maritime breaches along South Korea\u2019s coastal borders have raised concerns about the reliability of the country\u2019s 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\u2019s early warning system.<\/span><\/p>\n However, having advanced technology isn\u2019t enough. Defense experts stress the importance of thorough training and expertise among ROK Army personnel for these systems to be effective.<\/span><\/p>\n STRENGTHS AND SHORTCOMINGS<\/b><\/p>\n In 2019, following the ROK defense ministry\u2019s <\/span>oversight<\/span><\/a> during a defection incident at Samcheok port near the Northern Limit Line \u2014 the disputed maritime demarcation line between the two Koreas in the Yellow Sea \u2014 the Army\u2019s 23rd Division\u2019s coastal defense equipment was <\/span>identified<\/span><\/a> as a TOD-II model.<\/span><\/p>\n This equipment, showing signs of wear and tear, was operated only at night. Recognizing this limitation, there was a <\/span>shift<\/span><\/a> to the more advanced TOD-III model at essential bases and units.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet persistent breaches along the coastal borders in 2021, 2022, and as recent as last October cast doubts on the efficiency of these systems\u2019 surveillance capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korean media in 2021 <\/span>highlighted<\/span><\/a> another concern: the coastal surveillance systems\u2019 extreme sensitivity. Reports indicated false alarms \u2014 often triggered by birds or wind \u2014 as frequent as 210,000 times annually, leading to military staff spending more time troubleshooting false alerts rather than focusing on real-time monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\n Yang Uk, a military analyst at the Seoul-based Asan Institute, pinpointed a significant limitation of the TOD: its inability to provide clear shape details despite detecting heat. \u201cEven with night vision devices, when you have adequate lighting, you can identify shapes to some aspect. TOD is not as good at shape recognition,\u201d Yang explained.<\/span><\/p>\n Shin Seung-ki, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) elaborated on challenges with radar, especially when detecting smaller vessels from afar or during adverse weather conditions. \u201cStrong waves can distort or scatter radar reflections, making it harder to detect small vessels, especially when they are close to the radar\u2019s detection limit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Following the \u2018Defense Reform 2.0\u2019 introduced by the Moon Jae-in administration in 2017, the 23rd Division was <\/span>disbanded<\/span><\/a> in 2021 and restructured into the 23rd Guard Division. This year saw the <\/span>disbandment<\/span><\/a> of the 8th Army Corps, previously overseeing the entire east coast\u2019s defense. Such reform is aimed at addressing South Korea\u2019s decreasing population by leveraging <\/span>AI-based defense systems<\/span><\/a> along borders.<\/span><\/p>\n Acknowledging the country\u2019s evident personnel shortage, Yang added that plans to \u201cimplement automation and smart video maintenance need to be expanded continuously\u201d at the borders to offset this declining manpower.<\/span><\/p>\n Yu Jihoon, another research fellow at KIDA, believes that leveraging future tech, such as unmanned systems, could bolster coastal threat detection, offering a streamlined process amid manpower and equipment constraints.<\/span><\/p>\n Achieving full surveillance is the goal, but Shin explained that the goal is challenging. \u201cEnhancing surveillance is a continuous effort of improvements and fine-tuning,\u201d Shin told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n