Security 'Top Priority' in PyeongChang Amid New Missile Launch

(ATR) A force of 2,400 security personnel working with the South Korean government will be deployed daily in Gangwon province to protect the 2018 Olympic Games.

PyeongChang 2018 confirmed the number to Around the Rings in response to question about the security plan after the most recent intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea. During the Rio 2016 Olympics just over 55,000 total security forces were used.

"POCOG, central government, and host cities have established response system and prepare for security activities during Games time," Nancy Park, PyeongChang 2018 international spokesperson, said to ATR. "Government secondees from military/police/fire and other governmental agencies will cooperate with POCOG Security personnel in the Venue Security Command Center during Games-time as planned."

Park said that PyeongChang 2018 is "monitoring the current geopolitical situation closely" but declined to say if there would be any modifications to the existing security plan. Park added that security was a "top priority" for PyeongChang 2018, as it communicates daily with stakeholders. Questions to the IOC about its confidence in PyeongChang 2018 security and if any National Olympic Committees had expressed recent concern for the Games were not returned.

Earlier this week North Korea tested what it is calling the Hwasong 15 intercontinental ballistic missile. International observers estimated that the missile traveled 2,800 miles straight up during the test, landing about 620 miles off the coast. Estimates put the entire United States within target range of the missile if it were launched in a straight line trajectory.

The North Korean state news agency announced the "historic cause of completing the state nuclear force" after completing the test. In response, world leaders quickly condemned the test calling for further sanctions on the isolated authoritarian regime.

Security concerns in the Korean Peninsula have repeatedly been downplayed by most major NOCs during logistical preparations for the Games. After French Sports Minister Laura Flessel suggested if security was not guaranteed athletes would stay home, numerous NOCs attempted to counter that. Most NOCs suggested that until international travel warnings are in place for South Korea, talks of avoiding PyeongChang to compete were premature.

South Korean President Jae In Moon played down the capabilities of North Korea’s arsenal according to reports from Korean media. The missile technology tested remains unproven and that "the task we face is to completely prevent North Korea from futher advancing its nuclear technologies," Moon was quoted by a spokesperson in Yonhap.

Questions to the Blue House about whether or not Moon’s office would review the PyeongChang 2018 security plan were not returned.

Dr. Sangsoo Lee, a senior research fellow at the Stockholm-based Institute for Security & Development Policy, said the latest tests were "not likely to change much of South Koreas approach toward the Games" with regard to North Korea. President Moon’s vision of a "Peace Olympics" will continue to urge North Korea to participate in PyeongChang, although it is unlikely the Games could spur diplomatic talks, Lee said. So far, two North Korean figure skaters have qualified for PyeongChang.

"South Korea believes the US should go first in bilateral talks with North Korea, with South Korea following as a second step," Lee said to ATR. "If North Korea joins the Olympic Games, it would be a symbolic gesture, and a step towards a next move. But again, diplomatic talks between the two Koreas will not happen before the issue has been discussed between US and North Korea.

"Depending on how the US moves next, South Korea could possibly expect a more negotiation-friendly North Korea in the next year, with a more positive approach towards inter-Korean cooperation. The reason behind a possible change in attitude would be that DPRK now claims it has achieved its 2017 goal of becoming a nuclear state, the goal of 2018 is likely to be peace and reconciliation."

Ingrid Koivisto, a research assistant to Lee at the ISDP, added to ATR that the true ramification from this test will be felt in future dialogue with North Korea or a potential arms race in the region. Possessing a tested nuclear weapon could mean that the old rules of engagement in diplomacy with North Korea may no longer work.

"Being a nuclear state would mean they would go into negotiations with a much better bargaining power," Koivisto said. "Their tone clearly shows their purpose with the test: To show to the international community that they can no longer ignore North Korea as a nuclear state."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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