ically evaluated and monitored, maintaining an around-the-clock crisis management posture. To be able to firmly respond to any type of provocation from North Korea, the ROK military is also continuously upgrading the ROK-U.S. combined crisis management system by strengthening combined crisis management exercises and enhancing interoperability between the two countries’ command and control communications systems. North Korea is regularly carrying out provocations on land, at sea and in the air of contact areas, that are in direct violation of the Armistice Agreement and the non-aggression agreement entered with the ROK. The ROK military maintains a robust readiness posture based on the ROK-U.S. combined defense system to deter provocations from North Korea and sternly retaliate should deterrence fail. Surveillance equipment such as thermal observation devices, short-distance surveillance cameras, and CCTVs has been reinforced in enemy contact areas, while a scientific guard system has been set up at all GOPs to allow efficient surveillance over wider areas, using fewer personnel. The number of shelters and other protective facilities has also been increased, and the capability to respond to enemy fire provocations has been strengthened by fielding multiple launch rockets. In spite of agreeing to the issues related to Northern Limit Line (NLL) through the Agreement on Reconciliation, Nonaggression and Exchanges and Cooperation (1991) and the Protocol on The Implementation and Observance of Chapter 2, Nonaggression (1992), North Korea is continuing to carry out high-intensity provocations in the northern waters of the West Sea and in waters near the northwestern islands in order to nullify the NLL. The NLL is the practical maritime boundary line that the ROK military has firmly defended through the years. The ROK military will continue to maintain the principle of observance of the NLL and will sternly respond to any type of provocations against this demarcation line. To prepare for North Korean artillery provocations and raids to forcibly occupy the northwestern islands, the ROK military is continuously expanding its surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capabilities by increasing the deployment of missiles, maritime operation helicop- Dokdo Border watch in the central frontline inside the DMZ 155 miles of wire fence at the front line is safe and sound today Defense Minister han Min-koo inspects the readiness posture in Yeonpyeong Unit Section 2 Maintaining a readiness Posture against Local Provocations 55 Chapter 3 2. Bolstering the Readiness Posture against Land, sea and Airspace Infiltration and Provocations in Contact Areas