In the aftermath of the imposition and lifting of martial law, Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) Chairman Kim Myung-soo has stressed the need to maintain operational discipline across the military and focus on monitoring and surveillance operations against North Korea.

Kim made the remarks at an emergency JCS meeting on Wednesday, telling key commanders that the military’s primary mission is to protect public safety and maintain a thorough state of readiness “to prevent any misjudgment by North Korea.”

According to the JCS chief, any troop movements other than those related to monitoring, surveillance and preparedness missions will be carried out under the control of the JCS.

Meanwhile, the JCS announced that the troops previously deployed to enforce martial law had returned to their original units as of 4:22 a.m.