Defense Minister Song Young-moo Monday visited the Joint Security Area(JSA) of the Panmunjeom truce village at the inter-Korean border, the site of a recent defection by a North Korean soldier.
 
He had lunch with South Korean and U.S. servicemen and offered them words of encouragement.
 
The defense chief visited the JSA security battalion where he was briefed about the November 13th defection from a group of officers, including UN Command deputy commander Thomas Bergeson and two representatives of the UNC's Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, Army Major General Patrick Gauchat of Switzerland and Rear Admiral Anders Grenstad of Sweden.
 
After the briefing, Minister Song toured one of the battalion's observation posts located right next to the Military Demarcation Line --- a first by Seoul's defense chief. 
 
At the post, he viewed the North Korean defector's path of movement and also checked on responsibilities of the South Korean guards and their area of surveillance. 
 
The minister praised the dedication of the JSA troops, saying the battalion commander's cool-headed judgment and measures during the urgent and dangerous situation were "very appropriate."