South Korea's military on Wednesday launched a "G-20 command center" to coordinate the government's security planning and operations in preparation for the G-20 summit in early November.
Tasked with protecting the world's leaders and ensuring the hosting of a successful summit set for Nov. 11-12, the command center would serve as a central part of security operations with some 10,000 troops from various military branches taking part, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
"The military has elaborate action plans and firm determination to counter any possible enemy threat," the statement said. "We will make utmost
efforts to make the G-20 summit in Seoul safer than any in the past."
The command center also coordinates coverage with other relevant security agencies, including the Presidential Security Service, the National Police Agency and the National Intelligence Service.
Police are mainly in charge of security on streets and at the convention venue in Seoul, while the military provides policing for the skies and seas, JCS officials said.
Navy ships will conduct underwater searches and patrol ports around the country, while fighter jets will monitor the skies when the world's leaders arrive, they said.
Following decades of confrontation with North Korea since the 1950-53 Korean War, tensions are rising again after the March sinking of a South
Korean warship blamed on the North.
Last month, some 400,000 government officials, police and security personnel staged days of anti-terrorism drills, including mock hostage
situations and other attacks, as part of preparations for the November summit.