The military has launched a defense command to better defend the five frontline islands near the Yellow Sea border including Yeonpyeong and Baeknyeong islands.

The launch ceremony of the Northwest Islands Defense Command, hosted by Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, took place at the Marine Corps headquarters in Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday

With the Marine Corps headquarters as the mother body, the commander of the Marine Corps will jointly serve as chief of the new command. Its theater of command includes the five South Korean border islands and the potential origin of North Korean attack. In a contingency, the command will be supported by joint combat forces under the helm of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.